Letter to the Editor: A Message From Retiring Van Meter School Principal

It has been my joy and privilege to serve as the principal of Louise Van Meter for the past 18 years. I have been most fortunate to work with a talented staff, a supportive parent community and hosts of wonderful children.

When I arrived in 1995 classrooms still had blackboards, there was no air conditioning, attendance was taken on paper and student messengers collected the attendance binders and took them to the office each morning.

When I accepted the job, the Superintendent quickly told me that the playgrounds did not meet safety requirement (all three) and the school needed to be “wired” for technology.

I had just finished building playgrounds at my last school and the district installed all the wiring. I can still remember my trusty group of “techie” dads, we met every Tuesday night from the end of September until March to create and document plans to wire the school.

We spent three Saturdays (all day) in March pulling wires, testing the connections and preparing to go “live.” In fact, my husband was the only one to fall and put a foot through ceiling tiles. As they say, “Good Times!”

I still proudly note that we were the only elementary school in the district to go through our first phase of wiring with an all volunteer fleet!

It has been my delight to work with so many talented parents on everything from raising funds and designing new playgrounds to serving on building committees (twice as we went through modernization).

I have worked with so many creative and hardworking volunteers who tirelessly lend their talents to helping raise funds which run the gamut from art programs to P.E. to technology.

All these parents have donated their time to ensure that all children have a well rounded education. Whether you serve on Home and School Club, Los Gatos Education Foundation, School Site Council, Dadʼs Club, Parents on Campus, Art Docents, chair an event (Bulldog Stampede, Pumpkin Patch, Adult Events, Yearbook. etc), it has been a delight to get to know you and work with you.

I have equally enjoyed collaborating over the years with a dedicated, caring and professional staff who take the education of each and every child seriously. Together we have brought programs from Readers and Writerʼs Workshop to Character Education to establishing the first Early Literacy Program in the district.

While it will be difficult to leave a school that I love, after 39 years in education and 25 as a principal, I think it is time to see what new adventures lie ahead. My friends assure me I will love retirement!

I know I will look back on my years with the Los Gatos Union School District with great fondness. Thank you for the opportunity to work in a field that I love and to learn and grow by collaborating with those around me."

Sincerely,

Rosanne Adona