May 20, 2004

‘Unforgettable’ retirement party for Graystone’s principal, Jerri Kazmierczak

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

“Unforgettable” was the theme of Graystone Elementary School Principal Jerri Kazmierczak’s retirement dinner party Friday evening, and for the children, parents, teachers, and staff at Graystone, unforgettable she will be. For 11 years, she shaped the school’s curriculum and the character of the students, impacting their lives, as well as their education.

“I will miss the children the most,” shared Kazmierczak. Although she won’t be a regular fixture at Graystone as she doesn’t want to tread on the toes of new principal, Dave Beymer, she does plan to visit the school during special events, and hopes to volunteer to work with children at local libraries, and Williams Elementary School, where she previously taught. “I need my kid hugs.”

For those who knew her, Kazmierczak was more than a principal, she was a partner and a friend to the students and staff. She brought heart, and old-fashioned, tender loving care to the school environment, creating programs such as Brag Time, and Lunch with the Principal, as well as personally awarding kindergarten students with charms for reading, as a way to get to know them better. She even kept a jar of M&Ms on her desk to encourage teachers to drop in for a chat. To the staff, she brought a sense of family, and for all, always had an open door and a ready ear. As Secretary Rita Maczka says, “Kazmierczak was a principal for all students, a real teacher to all her staff, and a great friend and leader to all who worked for her.” She made school fun, and not just about achievement and test scores, noted parent Allison Johnson, and yet, Graystone’s API scores topped the San Jose Unified School District list this year.

“My goal was to build the school as a community, and we have that community feeling,” contended Kazmierczak.

“It’s one big family there, and everybody looks out for everybody else. You get the friendliness of my office staff when you come in—you feel like you belong there immediately—and you don’t always find that at schools.”

Pink, yellow, and lavender rose petals adorned the tablecloths, accenting the patio garden setting of La Hacienda Restaurant in Los Gatos, where the retirement party was held. As the event was coordinated by Kazmierczak’s Almaden Literary Guild book club, the table centerpieces featured schoolbooks wrapped in sage-green tulle, as well as flowers. “We decided to use the song ‘Unforgettable’ as our theme,” mentioned book group member Melissa Powell, “because we don’t ever want to ever forget all the years and dedication she gave to Graystone, the community, and the children.”

Kazmierczak joined San Jose Unified School District in 1967, and over the years taught kindergarten at Allen, Williams, and Los Alamitos elementary schools. She was also a remedial resource teacher at Olinder School, before becoming assistant principal of both Graystone and Allen schools, and finally principal of Graystone.

“Jerri has been the principal of our school since both of my children were there, and I have always admired her,” commented book group member Lorie Sweeney. “She is a dynamic woman, the best go-getter I have ever seen, and a good friend. You can talk to her about anything. We are very lucky that we’ll get to see her after she retires.

It will be a loss for the San Jose Unified School District, but good for her to embark on a new part of her life.”

Highlights of the evening were amusing anecdotes recalled by Assistant Principal Juan Correa and Kazmierczak’s sons, a musical number performed by a troupe of previous Graystone principals, and moving tributes shared by teachers, staff, and an impressive array of guest speakers, including Superintendent-elect Don Iglesias, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Linda Murray, and Vice Mayor Pat Dando.

“When I think back to my elementary school years, I feared going to the principal’s office,” related Maczka. “Luckily, that’s not the case for the Graystone students. Nine out of 10 times, they’re coming for a book charm, a blue slip award, having lunch with the principal, sharing their Brag Time, or just to get a hug. I only wish I had had such a compassionate principal. You have touched so many lives in so many unique ways.”

“The fact that she knew the children by name, and remembers them after they leave Graystone is amazing, and what they will remember about her,” said Correa. “It’s a community of learning and respect, which she expects and models as well. When she’s attending a meeting at the district office, she puts a note on her door that reads, ‘Jerri is off-site learning.’ She also has thousands of books in her office that she shares with students if they have a problem, to let them know that they’re not the only ones going through it. From the very first day, she embraced me, and allowed me in all aspects of what she does at school. She always had an open door. She treated me like a partner, and was a true mentor. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from her, and for that I am very grateful.”

“She is an extraordinary principal,” commended Dr. Murray. “There are so many things that she’s accomplished—we’re really going to miss her. Jerri was my first principal appointment as Superintendent of Schools 11 years ago, and the rest is history. She’s done such a fabulous job, and leaves big shoes to fill…Jerri, we’re going to miss you greatly and wish you the very best as you reach this milestone in your life and reflect on your extraordinary career. The 8,000-plus children who have been schooled and nurtured in the Blue Ribbon School you took to the heights of greatness will be forever grateful, as will I.”

“I know what it takes to be a successful principal,” commented Superintendent-elect Don Iglesias. “It takes lots of hard work, energy and commitment. The three key ingredients to making a great school, you already know. You have a dedicated support staff, an involved group of parents, and a high-energy principal that keeps everything moving, and you couldn’t have had more of that than with Jerri. She knows every kid, and has a wonderful relationship with them. Her background as a kindergarten and first grade teacher shows in her positive attitude towards life and her perseverance. A strong teaching background makes strong principals, and obviously she has that gift. Thank you for the impact you’ve had on so many kids for so many years, and for your wonderful leadership. You are a star, and I wish you the best that life has to give.”

“Jerri, you are extraordinary, and have given so much to this community,” commented Vice Mayor Dando, before gifting her with a city of San Jose commendation. “It is with a great deal of pride that I give you this commendation on behalf of Mayor Ron Gonzales and the City Council…’Whereas Ms. Jerri Kazmierczak has had a distinguished career in education for more than three decades, as both a teacher and a principal, teaching our children at a high standard of academic excellence, and whereas, she has brought vision and strong leadership skills to Graystone Elementary School, which has earned numerous prestigious awards and recognitions for achievement, including the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award, California Distinguished School Award, and the highest academic index score of any school in San Jose Unified…[We] do hereby commend and congratulate Jerri for her exceptional spirit and enthusiasm in creating a positive teaching environment and for making such a significant impact on the lives of children by giving them respect, responsibility, and above all, the confidence to be themselves.’”

“Jerri is an unforgettable principal, an unforgettable colleague and an unforgettable friend,” contended teacher Liz Marino. “Jerri, I know that Graystone and all that it holds dear to you—the children, the office staff, and the teachers—will remain in your heart always, and when you find yourself needing a school fix, I offer to you an open invitation to visit our classrooms, to come talk, share, listen and read with the children, any day or any time. Unforgettable, that’s what you are, though near or far, at Graystone, in our hearts, you will stay.”

For Kazmierczak, the retirement party was a celebration of her career, as well as a poignant reminder of what she will be leaving behind. She admitted to tears while practicing the last lines of her speech, and was told that during the teachers’ rehearsal, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. From the children, she has received cards and letters saying, ‘We don’t want you to retire! Why are you going? We want you at Graystone!’ On May 28, dubbed ‘Mrs. Kazmierczak Day,’ she is looking forward to a special presentation created by the students.

As behavioral psychologist Carl Jung noted, “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing of a plant and for the soul of the child.” Jung would have appreciated Kazmierczak’s approach to teaching, and if he had had a child at Graystone Elementary School, he would have indeed been grateful.