Superintendent Joe Phelan, Principal Brett King, Members of the RCSD Board

We the undersigned support keeping Mrs. Julia Large as a kindergarten teacher in Chancellor
Livingston Elementary School.

In challenging economic times we must make sacrifices and focus on priorities. Retaining great
teachers is a top priority for the families of Rhinebeck.

Mrs. Large is exactly the kind of educator Rhinebeck students need and deserve - thoughtful,
creative, motivational, inspirational. She has much to offer Rhinebeck's future generations.

We respectfully ask that you consider reinstating the kindergarten teacher position and retaining
Mrs. Large for the position.  

Thank you for considering our request.

Name From Comments

1. Anne McGrath Rhinebeck, NY Heroic efforts should be made to keep excpetional
teachers like Mrs. Large. We've had years when
kinergarten classes without an aide had 25+ students
because of last minute sign ups. Under those
circumstances it's amzaing if a teacher could keep any
sense of order let alone teach anything. Let's prepare and
make sure that doesn't happen again.
2. Terri Hall-Jackson Rhinebeck, NY Mrs. Large has been such a welcomed gift to the
Chancellor community. My daughter, Makena, had the
privilege of having Mrs. Large as a teacher this year. A
generally shy child, Makena has blossomed in a classroom
in which she is shown respect and consistent
encouragement, in addition to the expected academic
lessons at her grade level. As a parent, I was immediately
impressed by Mrs. Large's enthusiasm and
non-condescending way of interacting with her class.
Whenever Makena came home with a report of an
upsetting event, Mrs. Large took the initiative to phone me
that same evening to make sure I was informed.
Finally, in a teaching community lacking in racial diversity, I
think it's very important to make an effort to keep a high
quality teacher such as Mrs. Large. I'd hate to see us lose
someone who has shown such devotion, love, skill, talent,
ability and a fresh perspective and voice.
3. Christine O'Han Rhinebeck, NY Julia Large is a wonderful teacher. She is caring, creative,
and truly
appreciates each individual child. Mrs. Large takes the
time to understand each child and learn each of their
individual needs and styles. She demonstrates great
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 Name From Comments
3. Christine O'Han Rhinebeck, NY (continued from previous page)
patience and kindness and is truly an asset to our
school community.
4. Karri Wolfe Rhinebeck, NY There must be a creative way that would allow Mrs. Large
to remain in the district next year. What happens the
following year when enrollment is back up? We all
understand that these are tough financial times, but lower
enrollment is a temporary problem that we should not be
addressing in such a permanent manner. Losing an
exceptional teacher has devastating long term impact and
as the parent of a kindergartener the next two years, I feel
a great sense of loss for my family and our community.
5. diane sutter hyde park, NY Julia Large is a one of a kind teacher. Without her my
daughter Kaitlyn wouldn't be who she is today. Mrs. Large
takes the time to make each child feel comfortable and
provides a stable environment. Without her tender
ways,her knowledge & her comforting smile my daughter
wouldn't be where she is today. Mrs. Large isn't just any
teacher,she's an exceptional teacher and she is what our
children need for a promising future. There must be
someway to allow Mrs. Large to remain in the district,
please think of this as if it were your own child.
7. michelle GIBSON staatsburg, NY
8. Nadine Robbins Rhinebeck, NY
9. diane harding hyde park, NY i think mrs large should stay employed because i can not
only see the improvement of my granddaughter and also
the other students in her claasroom.which tells me she is a
good teacher and the children seems like to her as well
10. victor sutter hyde park, NY My daughter is currently Mrs. Large's student, she is not
only a teacher to her but an inspiration as well. Please
don't let her go,the children of our future need her.
11. john harding hyde park, NY her future students need her
13. Jill & Steve Rhinebeck, NY Mrs. Large is an extraordinary teacher. She challenges all
Kaplan of her students to be the best they can be. She is gentle
and kind and a wonderful role model. She is the kind of
teacher we need to keep in our district. Loosing her would
be a disservice. She has really helped our daughter Rachel
to become independent and a curious learner. She is a
treasure we cannot afford to loose!!!
14. Lara Viator Rhinback, NY I currently have a child enrolled at Chancellor and another
that will be entering kindergarten in the fall. I know from
experience the positive impact a wonderful techer can
have on a child as well as the family unit. I have heard so
many wonderful things from the parents that currently have
children in Mrs Large's class. I believe that we owe it to our
children to keep Mrs Large in our school. I know that I
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 Name From Comments
14. Lara Viator Rhinback, NY (continued from previous page)
would be thrilled if my son was placed with such an
enthusiastic placement. Please consider this petition for
our children.
15. Erin Wahlgren Rhinebeck, NY As a graduate of Rhinebeck Schools, I appreciated the
excellent teachers and small class size that made my
educational experience in Rhinebeck so wonderful. A few
years ago, my husband and I moved back to Rhinebeck
mainly for the schools! I now have a little girl who will start
Kindergarten at Chancellor in a few years and I hope that
the Board will keep Mrs. Large so that my daughter can
receive the same outstanding education that I did.
16. Kathy Smith Rhinebeck, NY My son is so lucky to have such a wonderful teacher as
Mrs. Large. He started out the year with social challenges
and because of Mrs. Large's creative, caring, positive, and
respectful way of dealing with her students, he has had a
tremendous year. She is a truly gifted teacher. Losing her
would be such a loss to RCSD.
17. Andrea Pyros Rhinebeck, NY I am a parent of two young children who will soon be
students at Rhinebeck. I am concerned about class size,
and about the loss of such a highly respected and
well-loved teacher as Mrs. Julia Large. Please reconsider
your decision. Thank you,
Andrea Pyros
18. Wendi Rinaldi Rhinebeck, NY I have heard nothing but very positive things with regard to
Mrs. Large. It would be a shame to see our school district
lose such an asset for our children.
19. Mark Butler Rhinebeck, NY I appreciate the efforts taken by the Board and
Administration to control spending in next year's budget.
However, the most important asset a school district has
are its teachers. Mrs. Large is one of those teachers that
her students will remember the rest of their lives! Her
ability to connect with and motivate each one of her
students has provided the children in her class with a
memorable introduction to public education.
It is my hope that a solution can be reached to keep Mrs.
Large where she belongs for next year and many years to
come. The creativity and sense of wonder that Mrs. Large
brings to her classroom every day is on display every
evening when our daughter Eleanor fills us in on the
happenings in Mrs. Large's classroom. Please keep her!
20. Kristen Szabo Staatsburg, NY My son was in Mrs. Large's class for part of the year last
year. The impression she left on him for those few months
was equilivant to, if not greater than, the teacher she was
substituting for.
My daughter will be entering kindergarten this upcoming
year. I understand that there are approximately 60 children
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 Name From Comments
20. Kristen Szabo Staatsburg, NY (continued from previous page)
registered. That would place 20 students in each class.
Taking into account the inclusion classroom historically has
less children, I feel that greater than 20 students per class
is to many. Even with one aid per classroom there would
be to many children per class.
Additionally there are likely children who have not
registered yet, or whom will be moving into the district.
That will obviously make the situation worse. I strongly feel
that is it essential to keep Mrs. Large's position. Please
reconsider the decision.
Kristen Szabo
21. Brendan Szabo Staatsburg, NY
22. Roger Quon Rhinebeck, NY Attracting, Developing and Nurturing outstanding
educators to the district is critical for the health of our
students, and community.
We need people like Julia Large in our system.
The need for Julia is particularly acute at our earliest grade
levels. Numerous studies affirm that establishing strong
educational and social foundations at the earliest stages of
child development pay multiple dividends later in the
educational system and society.
I understand and appreciate the financial constraints
placed on the district, but when quality educators such as
Julia are at risk, we need to try harder to find creative and
constructive ways of keeping people like Julia in the
district.
Sincerely,
Roger Quon
23. sarah derbyshire rhinebeck, NY We cannot express enough how important Mrs Large has
been to us this year. Our son is currently enrolled in her
class, and the year has been an exceptional experience for
both him and for us. She has an uncanny way of bringing
out the best in each student through celebrating his or her
unique creativity, energy and inquisitiveness. At the same
time she nutures respect, caring and a love a learning.
Losing Mrs Large would truly be a loss for Chancellor and
the future students who might benefit from her class.
Teachers who love the children and love to teach are not
easy to find--let's not let her get away! She is a truly
special person and educator and we all feel very fortunate
to know her. Sarah Derbyshire
24. Kristin Voorhis Clinton Corners, NY Mrs. Large took over for Mrs. Corcoran when our daughter
was in that kindergarten class. We were nervous because
our daughter doesn't always handle changes so well. You
would never know a new teacher had taken over. Mrs.
Large was a WONDERFUL teacher for our daughter. We
feel she was so lucky to have had the opportunity to have
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 Name From Comments
24. Kristin Voorhis Clinton Corners, NY (continued from previous page)
Mrs. Large as her teacher. We were also hoping that our
youngest daughter, who will be entering kindergarten this
fall, would be lucky enough to have Mrs. Large as her
teacher.
25. Tom Voorhis Clinton Corners,, NY We were apprehensive when we learned that Mrs
Corcoran was going to take a mid-year maternity leave.
But we were so pleased with Mrs. Large and the progress
that our daughter exhibited under her teaching. I was very
impressed with her at our first meeting.
This was a difficult assignment coming in mid-year and
assuming a class accustomed to another teacher. Mrs.
Large performed exceptionally well in keeping the class as
a cohesive unit and proved herself to be a professional.
We need to keep talented teachers. Mrs. Large is going to
be an upgrade to any staff. Let's keep her on ours.
26. Cindy Binnie Rhinebeck, NY
27. Elizabeth Halpern Rhinebeck, NY The school district should consider carefully the long-term
impact that losing such a gifted teacher would have on the
district.
Julia Large became my son's teacher mid-year last year,
and remarkably transformed his kindergarten experience
for the better. Almost immediately, I felt she understood my
son and his needs, both educationally and
socially/emotionally, which is so critical at these early ages.
Her impact on the success of my son's first year in the
school district can not be overstated.
28. Andrew Binnie Rhinebeck, NY
29. Isabelle Burkhart Rhinebeck, NY
30. Susan Merrihew Rhinebeck, NY Having had three small children in the district, it is my
opinion after experiencing three separate kindergarten
teachers she has been the best one. She is a very caring
and nurturing influence on our very young children. My son
absolutely adores Mrs. Large. I think it would be a mistake
to let her go. Mrs. Large is definitely an added asset to
CLS.
31. Laura Schulkind Rhinebeck, NY As a parent on the search committee, I was most
impressed with Mrs. Large's understanding of young
children and the need to respect them as individuals.
Through her time at CLS, I have heard countless praise for
her intuition, empathy and ability with the newest members
of the RCSD family. Though unable to benefit from her
teaching experience directly, I have been extremely
impressed with her ability to inspire even some of our
district's "tougher" parents. To lose her now would be an
incredible loss for the District.
Please fined a place for her. We are lucky to have her. It
would be a great loss to let her go.

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 Name From Comments
32. Dawn Davis Rhinebeck, NY John Steinbeck quoted: "I have come to believe that a
great teacher is a great artist, and there are as few as
there are great artists." Mrs. Julia Large is a great artist of
teaching in her classroom, intuitively understanding each
child's medium, then molding, sculpting, and what
emerges, is our children connecting with their potential,
and a foundational joy of learning. We too need to be
artists in finding creative solutions to retain Mrs. Large, so
her legacy continues at CLS. Sincerely, Dawn Davis
33. Maria Youle Rhinebeck, NY
34. Elizabeth O'Brien Rhinebeck, NY I currently have a child enrolled in Mrs. Large's class and
know firsthand of her warm, caring & nurturing qualities.
She welcomes each child as they are and is respectful of
each child's individual needs & personality. More important
than my views, however, are the views of my son - he
simply adores Mrs. Large and is so proud of all he has
learned. As an educator myself, I understand the
importance of the strong foundation created in the
kindergarten calssroom and hope a soultion can be
developed to keep both Mrs. Large and the 4th secion of
kindergarten at CLS.
35. Kerri Martin Rhinebeck, NY Having had 4 children go through Kindergarten and having
been a kindergarten teacher myself, I know the challenges
and triumphs a kindergarten teacher faces. Mrs. Large is
amazing in the fact that she cares and really knows each
student. At the beginning of the year, she showed me how
special my son is (not that I didn't know it already!) and I
thought, "There is someone who appreciates a great kid."
As the year went on, I realized Mrs. Large finds something
special about each child. Now I think we are the ones who
need to appreciate a great teacher and a great woman.
Academically, she challenges the children while providing
a high level of interesting activites. She allows for the
business of the developing child and encourages a variety
of personality types to grow and flourish. We have been
very lucky to have Mrs. Large in our lives.
36. Mary Krembs Rhinebeck, NY
37. Michael Clark Rhinebeck, NY I have been most impressed by the surge of support to
keep Mrs Large at Chancellor Livingston. The sheer
number of tax payers taking the time to endorse her
speaks for itself. At a time when talented, exceptional
teachers are leaving the profession or becoming
disaffected, it is rare to find one still thrilled to be
responsible for developing young minds. Let's do the right
thing and hold onto her!

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 Name From Comments
38. Karen Hansen Rhinebeck, NY Mrs. Large is a teacher Rhinebeck should not lose. I have
3 children that have been in the Rhinebeck School District,
my youngest is currently in second grade. I have heard
only positives about Mrs. Large and her teaching.
39. Julibeth Corwin Rhinebeck, NY My daughter Maeve Szwed will be starting kindergarten at
CLS Sept '09. I had heard so many great reviews of Mrs
Large, we had hoped Maeve would be placed in her class.
But I think the entire school and students will be at a loss
without her.
40. Maretta Callahan Rhinebeck, NY
41. Ellie Carleton Rhinebeck, NY Our son had Mrs Large for kindergarten last year. She
came in mid-year and won the hearts of the kids and
parents. My son adored her and was so excited to go to
school every day. Her sensitivity, calm demeanor,
approachability and sense of humor are a gift to the
students and parents. We hope every effort will be made to
keep her at CLS. If the enrollment is not high enough to
justify her position then we perhaps she can be the #1
substitute in the hope that a position is available in 2010 -
2011.
42. Elizabeth Spinzia Rhinebeck, NY
43. Alison Guss Rhinebeck, NY While my daughter Sarah Lewit only had Mrs. Large for a
few months at the end of her Kindergarten year (2007-8), I
was very impressed by her intuition and depth of
knowledge about how 5-year-olds learn and interact. She
is also wonderful with parents, explaining in a clear,
concise manner the best way to help your child learn. If
there is any way to keep her on staff I would strongly urge
you to do so. She is a terrific addition to the Kindergarten
staff.
44. Diane Kantaros staatsburg, NY
45. Gretchen Werner Rhinebeck, NY I have a few personal and professional reasons I want to
support Mrs. Large. First of all, the parents had planned to
organize an "input statement" about her exceptional
performance as a teacher in CLS. It's easy to say what's
not going right with a teacher, but how often do we
emphasize what is going well - in the case of my daughter,
exceptionally well. She has come a long way in
kindergarten, and although I can't credit her teacher
completely, I can say what I have observed. We dragged
our heals as parents and had a short meeting with Mr. King
after a coffee chat introduction to give our support. The
announcement of the termination of her position and then
the unfortunate death of her husband simply put a fire
under that which was already happening - a plea to keep
an exceptional educator within our educational system.
Mrs. Large works with multiple intelligences and the
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 Name From Comments
45. Gretchen Werner Rhinebeck, NY (continued from previous page)
indicator is not only on the input, but the output and
progress of each child. It felt as though my daughter had a
teacher that designed a classroom only for her, only to find
out that many other parents in the class felt the same way.
Julia Large may not be on a tenure track, she may not fit
the union or contract criteria for continuation, but I believe
her main interest is not in unions, tenure or contracts, but
the development of our children, one at a time. She uses
every bit of knowledge to increase their knowledge. She
uses every bit of energy, to channel their energy. My
daughter loves school and she loves coming home to tell
me about her day. I was certainly on the same page
concerning my daughters progress and together, growth
happened. I realize there is not a position to be filled for
Mrs. Large right now. However, she is too much of an
asset to lose. There will be a school community that will be
blessed to have her, and with all sincerity, I hope it's CLS. I
hope many children in Rhinebeck experience the joy of
knowledge and every parent the peace of knowing that "All
I reaaly needed to know I learned in Kindergarten" from
Mrs. Julia Large.
47. Richard Lewit Rhinebeck, NY My daughter, Sarah, had an exceptionally good experience
in Ms. Large's classroom. She is an asset to our
community and should be for years to come.
48. Sara Ugolini Rhinebeck, NY
49. Alisa Neuneker Rhinebeck, NY My son had Mrs. Large last year and she was fantastic!
She truely is a talented teacher!!!
51. Kerri Karvetski Rhinebeck, NY When I think back to what made the biggest difference for
me in school, it was my teachers. I still remember my 4th
grade teacher, Mrs. Chambers, and how much pure joy I
felt being in her classroom. My daughter is radiant when
she talks about what she's learned in Mrs. Large's class.
I join others in offering to work on a creative option for
retaining this talented educator.

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