Sharing the Loss of Ms. Bichler and Mr. Bierker
I hope this communication finds you and your family members in good health and spirits.
I am writing today to reflect on the recent loss of two individuals in our school community, Felice Bichler and Gerry Bierker.
Ms. Bichler was the Secretary at D School in the Felix Festa Middle School this year, a position she has held for 12 years. She served the District for 27 years in a variety of capacities at various locations across the District including Bardonia, West Nyack, Felix Festa and Chestnut Grove.
“Felice was the epitome of kindness,” said Jon Schatz, D School Principal, who has had the opportunity to have Ms. Bichler as his Secretary during 12 of his 14 years in the school. “It was so important to her to understand every student, parent, or staff member, for the sole purpose of determining how she could best assist them with anything and everything. Everyone else’s needs came before her own. We will miss her warm smile and enormous heart, but we will do our best to keep Felice close to us as we show kindness to each other.”
Mr. Bierker was a Math Teacher in the District, a Math Department Chair, Assistant Principal at North High School and became Principal at South High School in 1986, a position he held for 12 years.
“Whenever I encountered Mr. Bierker, he always made sure to ask me if I was taking care of his school,” said South High School Principal Deb Tarantino. “He appreciated all that our staff members did to maintain the greatness that is Clarkstown South. He was always proud of his Clarkstown South family and shared fond memories with me of his time at South.”
“My older brother (Adam Lindenbaum, Class of 1996) shared a memory of Mr. Bierker and his morning announcements at South,” said Erin Ginsberg, Supervisor for Pupil Personnel Services. “He recalls Mr. Bierker would begin announcements with ‘Good Morning, TGIM, Thank Goodness It’s Monday.’ Or ‘Only 6 more days until Monday, which means today is Tuesday.’ Powerful how our words can stay with people all these years later.”
Mr. Bierker is the husband of Tammy Bierker, Board of Education President, who is a former Guidance Counselor and Music Teacher in the District, and the father of Gerold-Jay Bierker, a Security Guard at South High School and retired New York City Police Officer.
Thank you for keeping Ms. Bichler and Mr. Bierker in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Martin D. Cox, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools