CRSPA

Calvert Retired School Personnel Association December 2016

President’s Message Greetings To All!

It seems every year when I get ready to write my December message, I find it hard to

believe that we are approaching the end of another year. Why does it seem that time

goes by faster when we’re retired? It’s now time for us to get ready to enjoy time with

family and friends. It is also a time to remember to reflect on all the blessings in our

lives. Hopefully we will all have a healthy and happy year in 2017.

I want to thank all of those who were able to attend our October 5th meeting. It was well attended and, as

always, it was great to catch up with friends and hear about their summer vacations and adventures. We had

a wonderful meeting and were joined by six 2016 CCPS newly retired personnel. They were Bruce

Hutchison, Coleene McBryde, Donna Nichols, Kathleen Sadler, Roy Smith and JoAnn Williams. We also had

with us our new MRSPA President, Mrs. Fay Miller, and our new Executive Director, Mr. Shachar

Weizman. They shared with us exciting new changes to the MRSPA website and issues they will be working

on for us so that we remain a growing and vital organization. If you haven’t done so, please check out their

site. Our meetings are a success because of your support and all the time and effort put in by our committee

chairs. I appreciate and thank you all.

I want to thank Sherry Burcham for attending the September 29th MRSPA Leadership Meeting and Pam

Enrico and Jan Travers for attending the November 10th Legislative Workshop for me. A family issue pre-

vented me from attending with them. Sherry picked up president updates and membership concerns regard-

ing recruitment and retention. Pam and Jan heard the latest with issues facing us in the upcoming Annapolis

legislative session in 2017. CRSPA is truly a team effort and I thank these ladies very much for being there

for us.

Lynn Cox is actively working on our website. A meeting with Lynn was held on October 17th. Ideas and

concerns were discussed. We are making progress in getting it up and usable. It will take a bit more time.

Please look at it and give us feedback on what’s there and what you’d like to see added or changed. It is tru-

ly a work in progress. Lynn has met with MRSPA to get help and suggestions. Thanks Lynn for all your

work.

I am hoping to see many of you at our upcoming December 14th meeting. Guests are welcome and if you

know anyone who is retiring, or has retired but not yet joined us, please see if they would like to attend. The

Calvert County’s Teacher of the Year, Donna Miller, a science teacher from Windy Hill Middle, and Support

Staff of the Year, Carole Butler an IA in Technology, will be with us. Entertainment will be provided by stu-

dents from Mutual Elementary Schools Band under the direction of Doug Fraley. Please don’t forget that we

will be collecting school supplies or money donations to be given to CCPS Student Services Department

again this year. These supplies and funds will be used to help needy CCPS students in the New Year. Any-

thing you think that students can use will be greatly appreciated and is a wonderful way to give back to our

schools.

With all good wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year,

Barbara M. McKimmie

from CRSPA

We Wish You A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Beware of Holiday Charity Scams

The Maryland Attorney General's Office gives these tips for holiday giving:

1. Never agree to give money over the phone. Never give credit card or other

information to a telephone solicitor. Ask the caller to send written information

about the charity and read it before making your decision. 2. Call the Mary-

land Secretary of State's Office at 800-825-4510 to find out if the charity is

registered in Maryland, as required. 3. Find out what percentage of your

donation goes to the charity's mission. You can also ask the Maryland Secre-

tary of State's Office for this information. Some charities use paid fundraisers

to make their phone calls, and the fundraisers can keep a portion of your gift as

their fee. You might choose instead to send your check directly to the charity.

WHAT: CRSPA MEETING/LUNCHEON

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016

WHERE: CHRIST CHURCH, PORT REPUBLIC

TIME: 12 NOON LUNCH/1PM MEETING

DETAILS: FUN, FOOD, FELLOWSHIP,

ENTERTAINMENT

COST: LUNCHEON - $17.00

RESERVE: LOUJEANIA JOHNSON

410-586-1066

Please Note!

THANK YOU!

A sincere thanks to President Barbara McKimmie for her hard work and dedicated

service to CRSPA and its members. Being president of any organization is a very

difficult and time consuming position but Barbara has shouldered the presidency

of CRSPA very humbly and graciously. She has worked tirelessly making certain

that members receive pertinent information and benefits that they deserve.

Barbara is a great leader and we salute her for her years of service.

by Kathryn T. Coleman.

HAPPY HOLI-

In Memory Friends, colleagues, and family mourned the loss of

Joyce Simmons, a long-time school psychologist in

Calvert County Public Schools, who passed over the 2016

summer. Since Joyce had moved to Portland , Oregon

a few years after her retirement, her family held memorial

services in four states including one held in Maryland at the Chesapeake Beach

Rod N Reel Restaurant on October 8, 2016 so that friends and colleagues could

share their special memories of Joyce. Everyone remembered Joyce for her

kind, warm, and caring spirit, her delicious crab dip, her intellect and highly

perceptive abilities, her generosity, her hearty laugh, and, of course, her deeply

dedicated service to her schools, students, parents, and the Calvert County

Community. Joyce made such a lasting impact on so many people. She was

the ultimate mentor to other psychologists and a sage advisor and confidant to

counselors, PWs, and other school staff. One could never forget Joyce’s love

for Coca Cola, fine dining, and game night at her house. Joyce Simmons was

a wonderful person who enjoyed people and enjoyed working with everyone.

She was a true friend to many. Joyce received numerous awards and commen-

dations from MSDE and CCPS for her great work in education. She was a mem-

ber of the National Association of School Psychologists, MASP, CRSPA, and

other educational and civic associations.

Joyce Simmons will be deeply missed.

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long

Take a heap of child-like wonder that opens up our eyes

To the unexpected gifts in life, each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation for the people whom we know;

Like festive Christmas candles, each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter, a dash of Christmas food,

(Amazing how a piece of pie improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness; wrap it up in love and peace,

Decorate with optimism, and our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe, we know we will remember

To be in the Christmas spirit, even when it’s not December !

By Joanne Fuchs