BC News

With song, words and wit, Glenmont wishes Dr. Loomis well
Release Date: March 5, 2008

"Dr. Loomis is a nice man with a big heart and with spirit of Bethlehem Central Schools. These 21 years he has been helping us and stepping in, not stepping out, to help us along the way." - Glenmont 3rd grader

As the father of three Glenmont graduates, Superintendent Les Loomis has been to a lot of student performances and programs in the Glenmont cafetorium over the years. But, none of them have been quite like an assembly there last week, where the retiring superintendent was the guest of honor.

Students at all grade levels honored his 21 years as Bethlehem Central Superintendent with special musical performances and Principal Laura Heffernan’s readings from students’ answers to questions about the Superintendent’s job and what Dr. Loomis has done for Bethlehem schools.

"The Superintendent is very important. Dr. Loomis is the best superintendent. He makes Glenmont a better place." - 5th grade student

"He is the boss of all the schools. How come they call him a doctor?" - 1st grade student

Fifth grade students led off the assembly by singing a song called, “Unwritten,” by Natasha Bedingfield. Afterwards, they presented Dr. Loomis with a journal, telling him that his future after BC remains to be written and he can document it with their gift.

"Dr. Loomis is the secret agent of the Bethlehem School District. For the last 21 years, he has been deciding whether or not we have a snow day or delay." - 4th grade student

"On days with lots of snow, he makes the decision of what kind of day it will be; he chooses from 1-hour delays, 2-hour delays and snow days (My favorite!)." - 5th grade student

Next, fourth grade students sang a song called “Snow Day,” pleading with Dr. Loomis for just one more before winter’s end. They were followed by third graders playing “When the Saints Come Marching In,” because some students think “Dr. Loomis has been a saint for staying at Bethlehem” for more than two decades, as Ms. Heffernan put it.

Then, second grade students sang a revised rendition of “Sweet Caroline,” an anthem of Red Sox Nation, of which Dr. Loomis is a devoted member. The words had been changed for the occasion:

Looking back…over all these years
Knowing BC has grown so strong
You will be missed…Yes, we hope you know
That is why we sing this song…
DOC-TOR LOO-MIS…Bom-Bom-Bom…

And finally, first graders took the stage and, accompanied by Mr. Rawitsch on guitar, sang “Bouncing Around the Room” by the rock band Phish. The words had also been changed to mark the special celebration. As students sang, “When Dr. Loomis plays guitar, we’re bouncing around the room,” the superintendent was handed an electric guitar and joined in.

At the end of the assembly, Dr. Loomis thanked the students for all that they had done to honor him.

“Glenmont has always been special to me. My three kids went here and had really special years here,” he said. “The best part of my job is the same thing that is the best part of your teachers’ jobs—we get to watch all of you grow. You are all special, and my wish for all of you is that you always have happiness, love and friendship like I’ve had at BC and Glenmont all these years.”

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