Retirees from Somers School District Celebrate Community and Reminisce about the Good Times

Four times a year, former Somers teachers, support staff and administration get together at Il Forno to enjoy each other’s company and reminisce about the good times. But the relaxed affair isn’t just about patting themselves on the back for a job well done, according to Somers Intermediate School Teacher Kay Staplin.

“We tip the hat and say thank you to the Somers community for all you gave us,” said the fourth grade teacher.

The Plattsburgh graduate also directed her appreciation inside the building. “The support staff at Somers were the heart and soul of the school district,” said Staplin. “Teachers and children will never forget them for all their endless effort.”

At the junior high and high school the boundless limit in question was on laughter for George Bickel’s students. “I used humor all the time,” said the Social Studies teacher. “It was a way to grow relationships with kids.”

And he had no problem taking credit even when the amusement was unintentional. Bickel recalled one incident where he wore a black and a brown shoe to work, so one of the kids alerted Vice Principal John Bellantoni.

The VP came to see for himself and just shook his head at Bickel. But the color blind teacher was quick to reassure his boss. “Don’t worry, I got a matching set at home,” Bickel remembered.

Of course, Bickel’s primary mission was also well received by his students. “I taught history as a way to bring perspective to current events,” he asserted.

30 years later, he still hears from students and so does Irene Kanowitz. The ongoing connection has her taking pride in the many graduates who went onto notable positions in the business world, which always brings it back home nonetheless. “I loved the kids, the administration and community," she said, “Somers has a very special place in my heart.”

Her cardio kicks into gear when these gatherings come around too. “This is like seeing family,” she said.

Dawn Dentato also sat at ease amongst her colleagues and leaving town in the late 1980s actually pointed her back home. She student- taught in a small town and the close knit feel focused her professional aspirations. “A small town, that’s what I want,” said the 1983 Somers graduate and math teacher. “I want a family-like community."

She wasn’t all about the pluses and minuses, though. Dentato tried to make sure her lessons accessed both the left and right brain, and loved when the kids responded by bringing out their creativity.

John Malone had a similar misdirection as a high school English teacher. Comma placement, verb conjugation and “I” before “E” except after “C” were not his main priority. “I hoped through writing I got them interested in thinking clearly, processing supporting evidence and understanding the complexity and nuance of the issues around them,” he explained.

That said, Mr. Malone succeeded based on what he took away from his 21 years of teaching at Somers. “Getting to know my students made my life very interesting,” the 2008 retiree assured.

Now in North Salem, gardening, jogging and traveling lets him hit the high points. A goal that Lawrence Dwyer had as principal of Somers High School.

But overseeing a strict taskmaster was not his approach. From 1978-1982, he’s pretty sure his first order was accomplished on a daily basis. “I think the students knew that I cared,” Dwyer said.

The foundation established, the principal avoided wielding authority by laying down the law and setting standards that students had to live up to. Instead, the mission statement meant letting students know that they had the ability to meet the expectations of teachers, the administration and the community.

Silvio Dinardo among the latter, the Il Forno founder has had children and grandchildren go through the school system and summed up the group like the very satisfied customer he is. “They are the greatest - wonderful people,” he concluded.