Local News
Three Honored from Port Jervis School District
By
Oct 22, 2009, 10:14 PST

PORT JERVIS, NY – The Mid-Hudson School Study Council recently honored three individuals for their distinguished service to the Port Jervis School District. On Oct. 7, School Board vice president Cathy Sadaghiani, Port Jervis High School assistant principal Andrew Marotta, and school bus driver Maggie Grant received 2009 Awards for Excellence at the Mid-Hudson School Study Council’s annual awards dinner in New Windsor.

Cathy Sadaghiani received the Award for Excellence in School Board Service. A devoted and unwavering advocate for Port Jervis schools, Sadaghiani has served on the Board of Education for nine years, three years in the capacity of vice president. She has also served on the District Leadership Team, the Building Education Planning Team, and the Comprehensive District Education Plan Committee. For the past eight years, Sadaghiani has also served as the Chairperson of the Policy Committee, successfully undertaking the challenge of creating fair and workable policies for the district. The policy committee, and the work it does, is arguably the best in Orange County school districts.

“Mrs. Sadaghiani has always dedicated herself to providing the highest quality educational opportunities for students. She has a genuine understanding of the importance of educating all students to achieve the best of their abilities, regardless of their circumstances,” said Port Jervis School District Superintendent John Xanthis.

Her tireless research, hands-on role as a board member, and commitment to educating herself through workshops and professional development has earned the respect of her colleagues throughout Orange County and New York State.

The Award for Excellence in Administration was presented to Andrew Marotta. During his four years as assistant principal, Marotta has worked diligently to change the climate at Port Jervis High School by eradicating smoking on school grounds, beautifying the campus, promoting driver safety, and instilling Port Pride in every endeavor undertaken at the school. Marotta’s number one priority is his students. This is evident in his efforts to singlehandedly acquire grant money and donations to educate students – and staff – about the health hazards of smoking. He has also worked tirelessly to promote safe teen driving by instituting tough rules for on-campus drivers, promoting driver training, and educating inexperienced drivers through the Not One more Safe Driving Campaign.

Although he is not in a classroom setting, Marotta consistently maintains personal contact with most of the students in the building. He is visible at nearly every school function and works tirelessly at the local and county levels to garner support for his ongoing initiatives to keep kids safe. "Andrew Marotta is a dynamic leader, who exemplifies what a true educator should aspire to in every sense of the word," said Xanthis.

Maggie Grant received the Award for Excellence in Support Staff Services. For the past 28 years, Grant has served as a Port Jervis bus driver, earning the respect of her students, their parents, her colleagues, and district administrators. Aware of her excellent reputation, many parents in the district want their children to be transported on “Maggie’s Bus.” A committed volunteer, Grant also goes above and beyond her work to help others. Through the years, she has led collections for holiday gift and food baskets for the less fortunate students in the district. She also volunteers regularly for car washes, bake sales, and other programs to raise money for needy families.

Grant also volunteers her time as a union representative. A strong advocate for her colleagues, Grant has worked tirelessly over the years to represent them at union negotiations and other work-related matters. "The Port Jervis School District has been fortunate to have Ms. Grant as an employee for the past two decades. She has positively influenced the students on her bus, the parents of those students, and the colleagues who have worked alongside her," said Xanthis.

He added, "Ms. Grant, Mrs. Sadaghiani, and Mr. Marotta are all truly deserving of this distinguished honor."