James J. Ferris High School Honors .....

Approximately 200 people attended a ceremony honoring Ms. Janet Balesterri for her years of service at James J. Ferris High School. Ms. Balesterri was an English Teacher at James J. Ferris High School for over thirty years; but she was more than a teacher as she was the Cheerleaders' coach and supervisor of the Strutters. On December 15, 2009, the courtyard outside the library was renamed the Janet M. Balesterri Memorial Garden. A naming committee was formed that included retired teachers, current teachers, parents, and current administration. This committee worked collaboratively with the Business Office to develop the arrangements of the evening. The administration would like to acknowledge the efforts of John T. M. Chester, Mr. Kevin O’Reilly, and Central Office for their hard work in making it a successful evening.

The administration at James J. Ferris High School would also like to express their appreciation for the support that Dr. Charles T. Epps Jr., Superintendent, Ms. Ellen Ruane, Associate Superintendent of the High Schools, and Mr. Franklin Walker, Associate Superintendent of Division B Schools, for taking time out of the busy schedules to attend and support this great evening for the community of Ferris High School. We would also like to express an extended "Thank You" to Mr. Angel Valentin, Mr. Sean Connors, and Dr. Peter Donnelly for attending the ceremony.

One of the goals that administration had identified at the beginning of the school year was to improve school culture. There is no better way to fulfill this goal than by honoring the people that went above and beyond for the school community. Ms. Janet Balesterri is a true hall of famer when it comes to the years of service at Ferris High School and deserves the same recognition that has been given to James Boylan, Tom Favia, Al Mellano, Helen Pinkham, Gloria Stanfield, and Joe Tagliareni.