Mrs. Michel gets surprise retirement party

Mrs. Jeanette Michel, who is retiring this week after 22 years as a teacher at St. Paul School, got a surprise retirement party from her third grade class Wednesday.

Students crouched down behind their desks waiting for Mrs. Michel to return to the classroom. She opened the door to a darkened room and switched on the light. Students then jumped out, shouting “Happy Retirement.” Well, maybe a couple shouted a confused “Happy Birthday,”

There was no doubt it was a party. There was a big cake, soft drinks, balloons and a parade of gifts including a special memory book they prepared. Each student drew a picture and then finished a sentence to put on the drawing which started out in each case, “When Mrs,. Michel retires, I imagine..... Each student then wrote his own idea.

“Enjoy peace and quiet,” wrote Anna Phillips

“Start a babysitting business,” suggested Gennaro Naccari.

Amily Ettler thought she might “buy a new puppy,” but Meredith Wammes said “buy 10 dogs.”

Jonathan Markowski predicted she would knit for her grandchildren.

A few suggested massages. Emma Coffman thought she might buy a hotel and hire massagers.

There were several travel suggestions including Florida, Jay Jay Sloan; Bahamas, Jared Lloyd; Disney World, Brian Luck, and Kennywood, someone wrote.

And, finally, Emma :Lesser believes her teacher will “buy a big statue of God and put it in the front yard.”

Helping the students with the party were Teresa Lloyd and Lori Wammes and several of the parents.

See our earlier article on Mrs. Michel’s retirement.