A Year of Kindness at Pleasant Elementary

NORWALK — Each month the Norwalk City Schools board of education holds an "educational spotlight" during its meeting. Board members couldn't have asked for a better representative to highlight what is going on right now than Pleasant Elementary Principal Janice Smith, who spoke Tuesday night. "I am here representing Pleasant Elementary," Smith told the board. "A great place to learn. I first have some positive data to share with you that would not be possible without the support from our board of education, central office staff and building staff. We are so grateful we have been able to keep kids safe and provide in-person learning this school year. "When we left last spring, we entered a new and unconventional school year. The pandemic has forced an adaptive learning environment, which created a multitude of challenges. I am proud and delighted to share that our teachers and support staff at Pleasant have risen up and continue to positively impact our students each and every day. We chose to become educators to change the world, one child at a time. "Because of the efforts of Superintendent (George) Fisk, we were able to pivot quickly and ready ourselves for a situation we had never encountered before. Relationships and connections are crucial in making a difference in our students' lives. Even teaching online or with social distance, and at times with plexiglass between us, our students have continued to thrive." Smith has proclaimed this as "A Year of Kindness" at Pleasant and the school has a random act of kindness wall. Here are some of this year's highlights: • Fall basket of goodies for local firemen. • Virtual fire assembly in each classroom. • Thanksgiving placemats and cards to all local nursing homes. • Canned food drive with more than 1,500 cans donated to The Salvation Army. • Basket of goodies and cards for FTMC frontline workers. • Christmas cards delivered to local nursing homes. • Toy drive for local families in need. • Wear a pair, give a pair — donated air fryer and new pajamas to residents of the Mariam House. • Gift cards to four local families in crisis. • Valentine's cards to first responders. • Bucket filler breakfast celebrating students making good choices and being great leaders and role models. "One of my favorite quotes is by Mya Angelou who said 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' As we continue to be champions for our kids, we also have a very special opportunity to also model and teach kindness," Smith said. "In a year like no other, we at Pleasant decided to pay it forward and be kind." Fisk talked about how this year has gone at Pleasant and all six schools. "I want to commend our staff, families ... everybody who has made this success possible," he said. "Success goes across all of our buildings." In personnel matters, the board approved the following: Administrator Contracts3 years, expiring 2024 (2021-2022, 2022-2023, & 2023-2024) Patrick Kania Elena Perez ResignationsMollie Wetherill, Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center Coordinator, effective 6/4/2021, for the purpose of retirement Jayne Ziemke, teacher, effective 5/28/2021, for the purpose of retirement.Employment — Classified StaffLisa Ott, custodian, step 0, 120-day probationary contract, effective 3/10/2021 Regina Perkins, cook, 4 years experience, step 4, 120-day probationary contract, effective 03/19/2021SubstitutesAllison Keller, certified, effective 2/19/2021 Keith Ridge, classified, effective 2/17/2021 Jackson Schaffer, certified David Wolff, certified, effective 2/12/2021Employment — Supplemental ContractsNorwalk Middle SchoolLisa Goodright, Track, code 10, step 3 Norwalk High SchoolJason Higgins, Baseball, based on the provided experience change to step 6Volunteer Coach(es)Paulette Ream, NMS, track — pending appropriate requirements Larry Walker, NHS, track — pending appropriate requirements