SAYREVILLE – District administrators and the Board of Education recognized the retirements of two longtime staff members who both have more than two decades of service to the district.
The board honored the retirements of Linda Appleby, administrative secretary in the guidance office at Sayreville War Memorial High School, and Michelle Jenkins, director of Food Services for the district, at a meeting on Feb. 7. Both retirements will be effective July 1.
According to Superintendent of Schools Richard Labbe, Appleby has served the district for 28 years, with 25 years in the high school’s guidance office and three in the business office. She is a lifelong resident of the borough.
“Anyone who has entered the counseling office, including me, has been greeted by Linda’s incredibly warm smile and her gentle and considerate disposition,” Labbe said. “She consistently shows great kindness to children and adults alike, and goes out of her way to assist everyone. Mrs. Appleby is an exceptional administrative assistant. She’s organized, efficient and meticulous in all aspects of her profession. Her retirement will be felt by the entire school community.
“When it comes to that smile and that disposition, I can’t tell you how many countless times that I’ve walked past that office and she makes a point of standing up and waving to me in the most demonstrative manner possible just to make sure that I recognize that she is welcoming,” he continued. “She truly is an amazing person and has been an incredible asset to this school district for many years, and we wish her nothing but the best in her retirement.”
Jenkins, according to Labbe, has been the director of food services in Sayreville for 25 years. A lifelong resident and graduate of SWMHS, she earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Delaware. During her time at the university, Jenkins took an internship at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, where she later worked for 13 years as a registered dietician, meal dietician, wellness coordinator and food services coordinator.
“As a registered dietician, Shelly brought her passion for nutrition and wellness to the staff and students of our school district,” Labbe said. “In fact, she has been the chairperson in the district’s Nutrition and Wellness Committee for the past several years and has seamlessly implemented changes to our child nutrition program, as mandated by the state and federal government.
Labbe said Jenkins is looking forward to traveling and spending time with her three grandchildren.
“On a personal note, it has been a privilege and an honor to be able to work side-by-side with Shelly,” Labbe said. “She is a consummate professional, an incredibly dedicated leader, but more importantly, a very special and amazing person. I know that I’m going to deeply miss her, but I wish her nothing but the very best in her retirement.”
