Mr. Joshua Cohen, the Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary Principal, began the year by creating a schedule where every single staff member gets a turn to lead morning announcements. Students join most staff members as well to announce the date, lunch, birthdays and much more.
Mr. Cohen's "Catch of the Day" is shared that acknowledges a student who did the right thing when no one was looking because it was the right thing to do. A special "Quote of the Day" is also shared after we do the pledge together as a school.
Quotes are selected based on the current character trait of the month, topics studied in class, based on quotes that inspired the staff member or if they have a personal connection to it. We end with the same message each day - "Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours!"
Many quotes this year have come from famous people in United States or world history. However, Mr. Kisslinger, B-V's physical education teacher, chose something unique. Mr. Kisslinger selected a quote that has always stayed with him and it came from a respected past teacher in our district, Mr. Gudisman. He chose Mr. Gudisman's quote to honor one of his former teachers who he fully respected and admired.
Thirty years ago this June, Buchanan-Verplanck Physical Education Teacher, Mr. Derek Kisslinger was graduating from . Like students still do today, he collected autographs and well wishes from his elementary teachers. One of his Fourth grade teachers wrote a little something that has stayed with him all these years.
“Take neither success to your head; nor adversity to your heart” was written to him by Mr. Murray Gudisman, a longtime, beloved 4th grade teacher at Frank G. Lindsey. Mr. Gudisman started teaching in District 3 after earning his Master of Education degree from Yeshiva University in 1960. A nominee for New York State Teacher of the Year, Mr. Gudisman taught thousands of area students (including Mrs. Robertson) until his retirement in 1991. He passed away in February 2008.
Interestingly enough, when Mr. Kisslinger took his part in delivering the morning announcements (which always include a famous quote) at B-V the week of March 5th, the first quote he thought of was the one that Mr. Gudisman inscribed in his autograph book many years ago. And to complete this unique circle of education and local lore, Mr. Kisslinger enlisted the assistance of two of Mr. Gudisman’s grandchildren (Matthew DiLoreto – Grade 5 and Jenna DiLoreto – Grade 1) to help deliver the announcements the day the quote was shared with the students.
