Oceanside says goodbye to longtime staff

This year, the Oceanside School District said goodbye to many of its teachers and staff, who took more than 1,100 years of combined experience in the district with them. At a special Board of Education meeting on June 21, Superintendent Dr. Herb Brown took the time to say a few words about each of the retirees, which are reprinted here.
They come from many different positions and from all over the district, but they will all be missed.

Rhonda Gelbwasser — 24 years
School 6 Principal

Rhonda has always been there for the children and their families. Over the years, she has handed out certificates to and posed for photos with nearly 6,500 children at Kindergarten Field Day. Together with her staff, the children and their families, she has raised more than $100,000 for charities, including SIBS Place and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She admits to having a bad sense of direction. Her staff jokes that she needs a GPS to get from her office to the District Office.
Rhonda is very nurturing and always makes sure we all have enough to eat.

Margaret Barnes — 28 years
High School Guidance Counselor

    She loves to travel. Her goal is to visit all of the major art museums in the world. Margaret has volunteered for 15 years on the New York State Surrogate Decision Making Committee, which is an appointed position in which she acts as the family representative for developmentally disabled adults who are in state care facilities.
    As a social worker, Margaret serves on the New York City Response Corps, which provides training in the event of a local catastrophe.

Ilene Klein — 30 years
High School Director of Business, Guidance and Home and Careers

    Ilene had her Bat Mitzvah four years ago. She was called to the Torah and read a Haftorah portion, something she always dreamed of. Most people reach this milestone at 13. At the age of 17, Mrs. Klein was voted Ms. Subway in NYC.

Steve Ott — 36 years
High School Technology Teacher

    Steve loves his 1967 Mustang convertible more than anything. He rebuilt the entire car and it has been a work in progress for almost 25 years, almost as long as his marriage.