Thank you to the retirees of the Solvay Union Free School District!
On Monday, June 18, the Solvay UFSD celebrated six employees retiring from the district. Please join us in congratulating them on their retirement and thanking them for their service to the Solvay UFSD!Brad Curtis - Brad Curtis has served the Solvay UFSD as a custodian for six years. He has worked at both Solvay High School and is finishing his service at Solvay Middle School. During his time with Solvay, Brad has led by example, arriving early, staying late, and dropping what he was doing to help others when needed. He has been a pleasure to work with and will be greatly missed.
We wish Brad all the best as he retires and hopes he enjoys his time working on his sports cars, riding his motorcycles, and having more time to spend with his wonderful family. Thank you for all you have done for our students and school community, Brad!
Perry Draper - Perry Draper has been a bus driver for Solvay UFSD for 20 years. Perry has also helped in the mechanic area whenever there was a need. He took care of recycling, checked lights on buses, replaced seat covers, and much more. In general, he was a very handy man to have around the garage.
Perry was a source of entertainment as well, always smiling and telling funny stories. At the end of year summer picnics, he would bring his karaoke and sing for everyone. Thanks to him, everyone else would take turns singing too. Perry is a good person with a big heart and he will be missed at the bus garage. We all wish him the best of health going into retirement. Thank you for all you have done for our students and school community, Perry!
Joylynn Palmieri - Joylynn Palmieri has been employed by the Solvay UFSD as a Speech Language Pathologist for the past 16 years. Prior to officially being hired as a Solvay employee, she worked for OCM BOCES for 12 years in an office located in the Solvay UFSD – so Joylynn has been with the Solvay UFSD for almost 30 years.
Joylynn has served as a true student advocate. Over the years she has helped countless children with communication concerns and worked to help them improve. This was always done with a cheerful attitude and a friendly smile.
We wish Joylynn the best as she and her husband relocate to the Rochester area to be closer to their son, Carl, and grandchildren, Avery and Jake. Enjoy your well-deserved downtime reading, dancing, camping, bowling, and spending time outdoors! Thank you for all you have done for our students and school community, Joylynn!
Lorraine Reddinger - Lorraine Reddinger has served the students of the Solvay UFSD as a Music Teacher for the past 42 years. In addition to her classroom teaching duties, Lorraine has also served as the District Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts for many years and the Musical Director for numerous theatrical performances.
In 1976, Lorraine was a tremendous addition to our district and that has never faded. The excitement, dedication, and emotion that Lorraine has for Music Education and for conveying that passion to her students is nothing short of impressive. All decisions made by Lorraine have always been based on one thing and one thing only – what is best for the children. She wants no recognition, and goes out of her way to make sure that her students efforts are noticed. Her students have been recognized for these accomplishments on countless occasions over the years, due to her teaching. When we discuss “What makes Solvay special,” staff like Lorraine Reddinger are exactly what makes Solvay Special.
Lorraine, we wish you the best as you move on to the next song of life. Let music lead the way! You will be greatly missed. Thank you for all you have done for our students and school community, Lorraine!
Marilyn Schneider - Marilyn Schneider has served the Solvay School District as a typist/ secretary in the SMS Guidance Office for five years.
Marilyn was the glue that held the Guidance Office together. Friendly, mild mannered, organized, adaptable, passionate, dedicated are just a few terms to describe Marilyn. Her coworkers described her as someone who, “loved her little guidance corner, no matter how busy or crazy it got.” Marilyn always kept her head high and viewed her role as more than just a job, looking at it as a “fun place to be.”
We wish Marilyn all the best as she takes this opportunity to spend more fun family times with her husband Tom, enjoying the “slower pace” that retirement brings. Enjoy your retirement! Thank you for all you have done for our students and school community, Marilyn!
Linda Togias - Linda Togias has served the Solvay UFSD as a Teaching Assistant for approximately 31 years. She has worked at both SES and SMS and finished her service at SES. The number of students that Linda has assisted over the years is countless. She has served in varying roles, including as a classroom teaching assistant and as a one-on-one teaching assistant. She has been committed to servicing the needs of children on a consistent basis.
We wish Linda the best and hope she enjoys her retirement. Thank you for all you have done for our students and school community, Linda!
Maria Vanelli - Maria has been a teacher for 35 years. She taught the first five years at St. Anthony’s and the next 30 years at Lakeland and Solvay Elementary Schools.
Maria taught first grade for the majority of her time at SES. She spent the past eight years as an AIS Math teacher. For many years, she was the Solvay Teachers Association building representative. In her spare time, she was yearbook advisor and involved in countless extra-curricular activities such as football, basketball, volleyball, and before and after school programs at SES.
We wish Maria the best as she travels all over the world in the coming years. Maria looks forward to subbing at SES and will spend time volunteering at St. Joseph’s and Crouse hospitals working with newborn babies. Thank you for all you have done for our students and school community, Maria!