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Community Corner

Remembering Laura Tebbetts

Westfielder passes after battle with cancer, it's break time, new staff in the schools and Goldring incorporates gym fund.

We’re in the middle of a week off. It’s February break and yes we’ve been honoring our nation’s presidents and their hard work on behalf of our country, but we’ve also been spending a lot of time resting and in some cases vacationing. Today I take time to remember a remarkable Westfielder and her contribution to our town. Plus I welcome some new staff to the school system and recognize a Westfielder looking to help needy gymnists. Plus, share your break stories.

Here is what is going on About Town.

REMEMBERING LAURA TEBBETTS

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As many of you remember reading, I did a on a courageous young woman named , who pledged to shave her head if she reached her goal of raising $5,000.00 towards breast cancer research. Emily and $11,000.00. Emily did all this in honor of her mother, Laura Tebbetts who had been battling breast cancer for ten years.  Sadly, I learned that Laura lost her battle with this terrible disease on Wednesday, February 9.  

I only had the honor of meeting Emily and her mother on a cold Saturday in November in the WHS cafeteria- where Emily was getting her head shaved and presenting her check to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I will never forget the proud look on Laura's face talking about her daughter and watching her smile as Emily was getting her head shaved. There were no words to describe the incredible bond between mother and daughter.  

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I was so saddened to hear the news on Facebook from Emily, but I know Laura's courageous fight will always be remembered by all those close to her and we already saw how it was passed on to her daughters. My thoughts and prayers are with the Tebbetts family.  

SCHOOLS PUT IN NEW STAFF

The Board of Education has approved a variety of new staffers in recent days. These are staff who will be in our classrooms, teaching our kids and helping shape their futures, along with one staffer working in a central office capacity. All of these jobs are to fill temporary vacancies based on medical leaves.

Andra Quinzel is a first grade teacher at Franklin, Karen Oliveira is a third grade teacher at McKinley, Joanne Ugarte is a second grade teacher at Franklin, Christine Mills is a first grade teacher at McKinley and Lauren Saretsky is a fourth grade teacher at Tamaques.

Welcome to Westfield!

GOLDRING GETS GYMNISTS SET UP

Congratulations to Abigail Goldring for her success in her to benefit aspiring gymnists! Goldring’s garage sale helped jumpstart the Surgent’s Elite Scholarship Fund to help needy students at the school get access to the gymnastics education program.

Goldring has incorporated the fund as a non-profit group and will now be accepting donors as a tax deductable corporation. Her goal is to raise $3,000 by June for the fund. Checks can be sent to Goldring at 738 Boulevard.

Congratulations and good job!

SHARE YOUR FEBRUARY BREAK STORIES

It’s February break, a great chance students get to kick back and enjoy a week off in the middle of a tough spring semester. For parents, it gives us a chance to spend more time with our kids and many of us have decided that it’s a great time to go skiing or hit an island. What a great way to spend time together.

Well I want to know what did you do this week? Did you go away or did you spend it here in Westfield? Send your stories over to lori.kaplan@me.com.

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