Fort School District holds 2022 Retirement Reception

By Kim McDarison

The School District of Fort Atkinson held a Retirement Reception Thursday during which time five members of the district’s teaching staff were recognized and thanked for their service. 

Also thanked and recognized on the reception’s printed program were three district staff members.

This year’s retirees include Cindy Fairfield, human resources specialist; Janice Madson, a member of the school nurse team; Linda Rice, second-grade teacher; Rebecca Rossing, high school math teacher; Lisa Schuenke, math interventionist; Susan Sullivan, instructional aide; Donald Walden, music teacher,  and Charles “Chick” Westby, high school science teacher. 

During the presentation, which was held in the Fort Atkinson High School IMC, district Superintendent Rob Abbott and School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education President Kory Knickrehm each thanked the honorees for their years of service. 

State Sen. Steve Nass also was on hand to thank the teachers and present them with citations for their service. 

As a token of gratitude, honorees also were presented with their choice of an honorary bell or “Chamber Bucks.” 

Included within his remarks, Abbott said on behalf of the “entire learning community in the School District of Fort Atkinson, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to each of our 2022 retirees.”

Abbott further thanked the families of the retirees, whom, he noted, were instrumental in the district’s success through “support and sacrifice” made to support of the district’s learners. 

“Pouring one’s life into shaping our youth is a calling that comes with enormous responsibility. The family support you have provided most certainly influenced the many successes and accomplishments of our retirees,” Abbott said. 

He offered well-wishes to the retirees as they embarked upon “this exciting new chapter in life,” adding: “It is my hope that each of you leave our 1Fort learning community filled with a long and lasting sense of great accomplishment.” 

Addressing the retirees, Knickrehm said that for many, “this is a  bittersweet moment,” adding that the event was “truly a milestone accomplishment in one’s life journey.” 

Said Knickrehm: “From students to families to the community, it is important to highlight the impact you have made on another group of people: your 1Fort team, your colleagues. Throughout your career, I’m sure you have experienced your share of ups and downs, but the thing that has remained constant is the care and dedication of your learning community. When we support one another, we are able to accomplish great things. You are a testament to that.” 

Taking the podium, Nass talked about the value of teachers, naming several whom, he said, made a difference in his life. 

He showed the teachers the citation they were about to receive, noting that “the citations are allowed under the Assembly and Senate rules. We cannot just give these out willy-nilly, there has to be a purpose and the people that receive them have to deserve them. And you certainly have as retirees. All of the time and effort that you’ve put in, (it’s) not getting easier today, it’s challenging, and so thank you for what you have done for the Fort Atkinson School District and all the students who have come your way.”