Five Recognized with Red Devil Recognitions

The contributions and talents of five members of the Clarence Central School District community were recognized with Red Devil Recognitions.

Honored during the Board of Education meeting on November 18 were Joseph O’Scier and Michael Kelley, Cherisse Fortunato, Lauren Streit and Sara Blanchard. The award celebrates individuals who demonstrate the values of kindness, respect, hard work and compassion.

O’Scier and Kelley, two members of the District’s Buildings and Grounds Department, were nominated by Clarence Center Elementary School Principal Heidie Buffomante for their work cleaning and transforming the school’s grounds over the summer.

“Their thoughtful cleanup of the flower beds surrounding our belltower and school entry embody our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for students, staff, and visitors,” Buffomante said. “Their work not only beautifies our campus but also supports the vision of a warm and inviting space for years to come.”

Fortunato, a teacher’s aide at Clarence Center Elementary School, was praised by parent Joe Zinni for helping his daughter acclimate to kindergarten at the start of the school year by asking questions at morning drop-off and walking the student to the door.

“I cannot thank Mrs. Fortunato enough for her kindness, generosity and empathy that she displayed during this week,” Zinni said. “She always has a smile on her face and greets each student at morning drop-off enthusiastically.”

Streit, a mathematics teacher at Clarence Middle School, was praised by student Brinley Stevens as “the most amazing teacher I have ever had,” for helping students find success in their studies and for caring about their wellbeing.

“She helps me so much with my math and motivates me to work hard in class,” Brinley said. “Even though there are many kids in her classes, she takes the time to help each student individually with what they need, helping them succeed.”

Blanchard, a special education teacher at Clarence Middle School, was recognized by Victoria Forstadt and Cynthia Haist for going “above and beyond to make her students feel seen, respected, and supported.”

“Mrs. Blanchard goes beyond her role as an educator and takes care of her students on an emotional level,” Forstadt and Haist said in their nomination. “She always seems to know when a student is struggling, and she pays close attention to the emotional wellbeing of her students. She learns and highlights each of her student’s unique skills so that they can be and feel successful.”

To learn more about the award, including the nomination process, visit https://www.clarenceschools.org/district-info/red-devil-recognitions.