March
27, 2008—Dr. Ted Stanik, principal
of the Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School, announced
his retirement at
the end of this school year. For 38 years Stanik has worked
as an educator—the last 14 as principal of LCJSMS. “It’s
been great,” says Stanik. “I can’t recall
one or two highlights. Every year has been a highlight.
Although Stanik assumed he would finish his career
at the high school level, he never moved beyond
middle school. He even
met his wife, a middle school art
teacher, at work! “When you work in education, you gravitate to a certain
age. Middle school makes me feel young. I love the energy and false sense of
sophistication at this age. In many ways, for this group, we are the last great
hope. Children are growing and changing rapidly. There is an educational philosophy
that how you structure your middle school will leave the doors open for children
to grow and develop the maturity needed to manage life.”
According to Stanik, “Summit has been great. The best part of working here
is the value the community places on education, the schools and its professionals.
Everyone in the system and community works for the benefit of the child.” Now
as a way of saying thank you for all that Stanik has given to Summit’s
children and the community, the LCJSMS PTO is collecting monetary donations for
an endowment to fund the newly created “Theodore J. Stanik Middle School
Grant.” The grant will benefit middle school students as per Dr. Stanik’s
instructions and be administered by the Summit Educational Foundation.
“
Dr. Stanik has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children who have
gone through LSJSMS over the last 14 years,” according to Mary Ann Bauer,
President of LCJSMS. “I feel this grant is a great opportunity for parents
to honor his legacy and commitment to our children.” Nora Radest, President
of SEF, agrees. “Many people approached me and suggested SEF do a fundraiser
for Ted… because Ted has been such an ardent supporter of SEF. The
(SEF) board decided that a name grant would best honor his legacy.” Donations
for the endowment should be made payable to the SEF (Memo Note: Ted Stanik)
and mailed to: SEF, PO Box 268, Summit, NJ 07902-0268.
The PTO is also requesting notes and letters of remembrance
(due: May 30th) for a scrapbook to be presented
to Dr. Stanik. Mail notes and letters to:
Mrs. Eunice
Churchill, LCJSMS, 272 Morris Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901.
