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Perspective Newsletters
Summer 2008
Leary School of Virginia
Page 4
 This
ends my first year as the Program Director of the Leary School of Virginia. I enjoyed
my first year in this role and am looking forward to the upcoming school year. I
appreciate all of the efforts of our committed staff as well as our parents, guardians,
educational liaisons and other professionals in ensuring that our students had a
positive educational experience this year.
We welcomed the end of the 2007/2008 school year with celebrations of the accomplishments
of our students. On June second, we had our fourth quarter awards ceremony. Many
awards were given including honor roll, attendance, speech and language awards, special
recognition, personal achievement and many more. Our Student of the Year award was
presented to Roosevelt White. We recognize the importance of all of our students’ achievements,
both big and small. The “baby steps” are very important along the pathway of success.
On June fifth, we saw ten graduates from the Leary School of Virginia walk across
the stage. We were pleased to present two Senior of the Year awards this year to
Nazarene Watkins and Michael Scott. We are very proud of the accomplishments of all
of our graduates and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
Within the building in Virginia, there have been two significant personnel changes – one “coming” and
one “going”.
 After 44 years with the Leary School programs, Gene Meale has retired. Mr. Meale
was with Mr. Leary from “day one” of the Leary Schools. During the past 44 years,
he has held a number of positions. For the past 30 years, he has been the Director
of Admissions and Personnel. There are few students or staff in any of the Leary
School programs who did not meet with Mr. Meale before starting here. His open-heartedness,
sense of humor, and unfailing dedication and commitment to all the programs will
be missed. Mr. Meale was one of the first people most staff saw every day and it
was never without a smile and an encouraging word. We wish him all the best in his
well deserved retirement and hope that he knows how much he will be missed.
 At the same time, we are happy to announce that Shauna Debrick has returned to us
after a two year absence as the Foundation’s business manager. Ms. Debrick is a tireless
and vital member of the Foundation and her return has been seamless – as we knew
it would be. Welcome back, Ms. Debrick – you were missed and we are glad to have
you back!
In addition, during the spring, we celebrated the 20th anniversary for five staff
members: Migdalia Blackwell (teacher assistant at Leary School, Prince George’s County),
Lynn Cresent (classroom teacher at Leary School of Virginia), Rhea Caracosta (counseling
supervisor at Leary School of Virginia), Kathy Gregorash (administrative coordinator
for the Foundation, Inc.) and Robert Jackson (vocational coordinator at Leary School
JobSite, Fairfax County). What an amazing accomplishment –
congratulations!
Leigh M. Simpson, LCSW
Program Director
mail@learyschool.org
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