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Dixie Bee honors long-time educator(The Tribune-Star Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 17--If it were up to Dixie Bee Elementary School students, Principal Tim Sheehan would spend his retirement playing golf, spending time with his grandchildren or dancing Irish jigs. Those were some of the things suggested to him Friday at an all-school assembly honoring Sheehan's retirement from 42 years in the education business. Though an open house already was planned for his retirement, members of the teachers' entertainment committee and PTO wanted to do something for the students to help them understand the meaning of retirement and why Sheehan, 65, would not return next year, said PTO President Dawn McCracken. Sheehan began his career in education in 1966 and began his time as the Dixie Bee principal in 1996. It was explained to the children that retirement is when people can stop working and do fun stuff with all the money they saved since they began working their first jobs at the ages of 16 or 18. As Sheehan sat in an armed, leather chair on the stage, he listened to students read letters and poems about his departure. One such letter read: "Dear Mr. Sheehan, Are you going on vacation? Where are you going? Are you going to Holiday World? Are you going to buy a pet?" Others addressed that they were sorry to see him leave and that he was the best principal in the world. Some students went as far as to plan an itinerary for how Sheehan should spend his days, noting that he should have sugar-free syrup for his pancakes; report to lunch duty at Dixie Bee for a part-time job and to visit; and exercise to keep his hips stronger and better. A large binder full of letters and poems from the students was presented to Sheehan after the presentation. Applause and cheers came as he stood up and held the binder over his head. He told the students how much he's going to miss them and that it's been a pleasure to be their principal, but noted that he'll still keep track of them through their accomplishments as they progress through the school system and eventually head to college. He then offered one last piece of advice. "Remember, you can be whatever you want to be if you try it ... ," he said. Staff and students gave him a standing ovation along with thunderous cheers and applause before the assembly ended. Crystal Garcia can be reached at (812) 231-4271 or [email protected]. Check it out --An open house for Dixie Bee Elementary School Principal Tim Sheehan, honoring his retirement, will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Dixie Bee gym. To see more of The Tribune-Star or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tribstar.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |