The idea and overall celebration was put together by Cassadaga Valley’s administrative team; Superintendent Tammy Mangus, Executive Principal Kelly Sedlak, Middle/High School Principal Dan McNeill, Elementary Principal Matthew Fredrick, Director of Pupil Services Ann Morrison, Director of Education and Accountability Marcy Sweetman, Transportation Supervisor Krissy Sercu, Director of Facilities Todd Ames, Instructional Support Specialist Phil Bens, and Food Service Director Heidi Ottaway.

“March is hard,” Sweetman said. “It can be a difficult month for schools, especially with it being the month in between breaks. We wanted to help make March a little easier and celebrate everyone in our district, giving it a different angle on special celebration days.”

Morrison agreed, saying that all staff members work very hard throughout the year and deserve a week where everyone gets celebrated.

“In the little appreciation days I think some groups can get lost or forgotten,” Morrison said. “We wanted to have one week where we recognized everyone and look at those days a little differently.”

Peggy Heath receives the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role — the person nominated most across all categories. Pictured with Tammy Mangus, Superintendent. Submitted photos

The week of celebration held something different each day, and Mangus referred to it as a mini spirit week for teachers and staff. Monday’s theme was Pancakes and Pajamas, which gave staff a morning of pancakes, coffee and appreciation. On Tuesday, concurring with Saint Patrick’s Day, the theme was “Lucky to Have YOU”, where staff wore green, were given a personalized shamrock and treat delivered to their work area, and participated in a “Find the Shamrock” search which took place across each building and staff could pick up one shamrock if they found it, write their name on it and return it to the main office for a prize.

Wednesday was Wellness Wednesday, celebrated with healthy snacks, exercise and laughter. Staff were encouraged to wear workout gear, given free passes to the CVCS Fitness Center, healthy treats including infused water stations, fresh fruit skewers, and protein balls, and encouraged to share a joke in the joke basket.

Thursday was Throwback Thursday, complete with retro goodies, a Throwback slideshow played on the District’s televisions and on social media and website, and staff could dress in style of the year they graduated. Friday’s theme was “Celebrating the Celebrities Among Us”, complete with Cassadaga Valley’s own version of the Academy Awards.

“It takes a village to run our schools,” Mangus said. “If we don’t have bus drivers we don’t have kids here, and if we can’t feed them we can’t reach the children. We wanted to celebrate everyone who helps our schools thrive all at once.”

This week of celebration was the first time the district held something like this, but it is something Mangus said will be the first of many. She added that the students were also extremely supportive and enjoyed celebrating the teachers and staff throughout the week.

Ashley Clark throws it back on Thursday to her high school years with her Hanson T-Shirt and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers wallet.

“We wanted to do this because Cassadaga Valley is a very special place,” Sedlak said. “Our team works together in everything and we wanted to celebrate everyone and help make March go faster.”

Ottoway, who helped to host the Wellness Day on Wednesday, noted that afterwards she had “many requests for my protein ball”, and both Mangus and Fredrick said that the idea behind the overall event is to help support teachers and staff, and to spread that support throughout other local communities.

“We are a family here,” Fredrick said. “We have each other’s backs. We are a team and we lift each other up, and we just want to spread that out to other districts so they can follow our lead.”

For McNeill, as a graduate of Cassadaga Valley he expressed that he was excited to give back to staff. For others, such as Ames, Mangus noted that they got fully into the week each day, dressing up, including when Ames wore his shirt from 30 years ago on Throwback Thursday from when he first started working at the Valley.

“It’s a little fun too,” Ames said. “We don’t always have to be serious.”

Teacher Misty Zahm heads back to the 90’s for Throw Back Thursday.

Mangus said the entire week was done by the district with the help of sponsors. On Friday, one of the biggest parts of note was the district’s version of the Academy Awards, which staff members were all nominated for by their peers, and an awards show was held.

Categories and winners included: “Positive Vibes”, Peggy Heath, Middle/High School Secretary, “Behind the Scenes MVP”, Karen Reynolds, Teacher, “New Traditions/Fresh Ideas”, Amanda Myles, School Psychologist, “Cougar Spirit”, Bri Katilus, Teacher, “Organized!!!”, Nick Quattrone, Teacher, “Calm in the Storm”, Joelle Woodward, School District Business Leader, “Best Supporting Cougar”, Mike Rizzo, Transportation, “Problem Solver”, Jenn Runge, Sinclairville Elementary School Office Clerk, “Human Coffee”, Ashley Clark, Sinclairville Elementary School Special Education Teacher, and “How do they do it all?”, Emily Pleszewski, Middle High School Social Worker.

The big award of the night, given to the person nominated most across all categories was “Best Actress in a Leading Role”, also awarded to Peggy Heath.

“We passed out the awards and they all gave a short acceptance speech,” Mangus said. “They actually took the time to write out some amazing speeches, and it was very special.”

Mangus shared snippets of each speech with the Post-Journal, including part of Heath’s.

Social Worker, Ryan Smith and School Nurse, Sam Smith, say cheers on the Red Carpet.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t exactly prepare a speech for winning Best Actress in a Leading Role as an employee, but here we are,” Heath said. “I don’t know how I got nominated for every category possible, but I think that it just means that I’m literally everywhere all the time to the point that people can’t ignore me. Seriously, being recognized like this means a lot. It reflects all the things that we do here every day at The Valley. Showing up, helping out, stepping in when needed, and that’s what really matters. I want to thank the incredible people I work with. You make even the busiest, most chaotic days worthwhile. Whether we’re solving problems, laughing through stress, or just getting through the day together, I’m lucky to be part of this team.”

Overall, Cassadaga Valley’s goal for the week was to show how much they support their staff.

“We wanted to offer staff a piece back of what they give to us every day,” Sercu said. “We wanted them to receive it back and understand their value. Our staff change the world every day.”

Bens agreed, saying that he believes staff and teachers are often not celebrated enough, something else they were looking to accomplish with this week of celebration.

“Our teachers are valuable, and they have an effect on many lives,” Bens said. “I had a favorite teacher, and I’m sure you did too. This was just a small piece we were able to do to honor them.”

Teacher Aide, Kimberly Mosier, poses on the Red Carpet.

Ann Morrison, Director of Pupil Services and Kelly Sedlak, Executive Principal, announce one of the Academy Award winners.