Past Students Of Mrs. Petriano Honor Her Retirement From Tamaques Elementary School

Press release: 

In honor of Mrs. Anne Marie Petriano's retirement after nearly 30 years of service at Tamaques Elementary School, almost 200 students of hers gathered for a group photograph May 27th at Tamaques. This photo was Mrs. Petriano's request for her retirement gift. Mrs. Petriano was moved by the experience, noting, "To reunite with many former students touched me deeply....I will forever be grateful for this truly unique and loving evening."

"The huge response we got from Mrs. Petriano's students is a testament to how much she is loved as a teacher," noted Binaifer Vesuna, Tamaques PTO event chair.

Congressman Keith Loughlin, a student of Mrs. Petriano's first Tamaques class, was included in the photo. He also presented Mrs. Petriano with a town and state resolution which recognized her extraordinary service at Westfield schools on behalf of himself and Mayor Skibinsky.

Tanya and Derrick Evans, Tamaques parents whose daughter had Mrs. Petriano as their teacher, captured the student group's photo. Attendees signed a photo board created for the event where messages could be captured for Mrs. Petriano's memories.

Tamaques Principal Michael Cullen summed up Mrs. Petriano's attitude and impact: "She ends every Back-To-School Night presentation with the same words. 'I haven't worked a day in my life.'"