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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Superintendent Edward Costa wanted to start off the school year with a bang, so he used a drum. And a bass. And an electric guitar. Costa's jam band kicked off the 2008-09 school year's convocation with two performances, the highlights of which were the superintendent's solo skills on the guitar. He said he wanted to perform with his band to demonstrate that he's not always the serious administrator he's often viewed as. There's more to the East Longmeadow Public Schools than meets the eye as well, according to Costa. His keynote address during convocation was on the subject of "Public Education in the U.S.A. Conspiracy or Capitalism?" He noted how the national media is constantly degrading the public school system in this country, but it never covers the positive aspects. "What they don't tell you is how successful we are," Costa said. "Our students are the most competitive in business and industry." He noted that the United States also has more patents than any other country in the world. "[Public education] is either a whipping post ... or the American dream," Costa stated, "but if we're so bad, why do our graduates lead the world in economic prosperity? Students make up 28 percent of the United States population, but 100 percent of our future." The East Longmeadow Public Schools are looking at the future of education now. The principals of the five schools in town introduced a total of 17 new teachers, administrators and staff during the convocation ceremony. This school year will also see the return of a full-time elementary librarian in the three elementary schools. School Committee chair Bob Mazzariello said that this year sees the opening of the 12 new modular classrooms at the elementary schools as well. Even as the school system looks toward the future, its members also honor the past. "Perhaps the best way to start a new school year is to remember those that came before us," Costa said. Five new members were inducted into the East Longmeadow Education Hall of Fame last Monday, bringing the total number of inductees to 24. The induction class of 2008 included Edward Modzelewski, Margaret McGowan, Carol Beach, Richard Juskalian and Barbara Davis. Modzelewski worked as a physical education teacher and later as the Director of Athletics for more than 30 years. A basketball team he coached still holds the school record for most wins in a season. "I'm up here because of the kids of East Longmeadow," Modzelewski said. "They are the best." "Peg" McGowan began working for the district in 1964 and retired with over 31 years of experience. "I believe students are always the top priority," she stated. The daughter of Beach, Carrie Wallace, principal of Mountain View School, accepted the induction on her mother's behalf. Beach was a kindergarten teacher for 25 years. "I remember that day in 1963 when I started first grade and my mother started kindergarten," Wallace joked. The decision to induct Juskalian into the hall of fame was a unanimous one, according to Costa. Juskalian served as a teacher for 40 years. He was not present at the ceremony, but sent his thanks in a letter. Costa introduced Davis as "the reigning matriarch of East Longmeadow" who served in every educational capacity and who is now a street namesake (Davis Court, near Mapleshade School). Davis worked as a teacher for 46 years. "I shall miss all of you and of course the kids themselves," she told the audience. "Have an awesome school year." | ||||||
