It’s not easy being the new kid at school, so Mark Rendell, Indian River County’s new Superintendent of Schools, was particularly appreciative of the warm welcome he received last Wednesday at a reception at McKee Botanical Garden, co-hosted by the Education Foundation of Indian River County and Seacoast Bank, and attended by educators, nonprofit representatives and community leaders.
“We thought it would be a good way to kick off the school year and welcome him to the community,” said Cynthia Falardeau, Education Foundation Executive Director.
“This community is really supportive of education, and Seacoast is happy to be involved,” said Cathy Roberts, Seacoast Vice President and a new Education Foundation board member. “Education is my passion; I like to help those who may not have the role models or opportunities that are afforded to others.”
Rendell, selected to replace Fran Adams, has been kept busy the last two months, visiting each of the schools and introducing himself to various community organizations.
“What I see are a lot of things that are very effective. We want to replicate those at all our schools,” said Rendell. “That’s not to mean that that the same methods will be effective everywhere. If people are passionate about their work, that’s what makes it succeed or fail. I’ve been really impressed, but we won’t know how it’s going until the school year starts and the customers are in the building.”
He stressed the importance of maintaining the district’s commitment to the Moonshot Moment, but said he also wants to create a graduate profile targeting fourth to 12th graders, of skills students should achieve by graduation.
His family has been busy exploring the area since relocating from Brevard County about three weeks ago.
“We love it,” said wife Heidi Rendell. “We’re learning our way around.”
Daughter Sarah Grace, 12, an avid traveling softball player, will enter seventh grade at Storm Grove Middle School, and son Lucas, 15, has already started band camp at Sebastian River High School, where he will attend as a sophomore. Son Nathanial, 17, will stay with his grandparents while he finishes out his senior year at Eau Gallie High School.
It may be summer vacation for students, but administrators, staff and teachers have been busy getting everything in order to welcome students who return to classes Aug. 24.
“I am very excited; it’s been wonderful to see Dr. Rendell visiting with all the schools,” said school board member Claudia Jiménez. “It’s a great way to start the year. The energy is palpable. I continue to think that the greatest challenge we have right now is engaging students when we have so much testing, and then being able to support our teachers so that they can continue to be effective.”
Speaking briefly to attendees, Rendell said that he has been amazed at the amount of support the school district receives from the community and nonprofit partner agencies.
“It is fantastic, and it doesn’t happen in every community in the United States,” said Rendell. “Having been here just the short amount of time that we have, we’re overwhelmed and surprised with the greatness of the community, and how everyone is willing to pitch in for the greater good of the whole community. Again, we haven’t seen that anywhere else.”
Thanking everyone for the welcome, he added, “It’s truly humbling to be here tonight and to see so many people who took time out of their day to come and do this. Truly from my heart, I want you to know that I appreciate you coming and I look forward to many great things for many years in this district and this community.”
Photos:
Heidi and Dr. Mark Rendell with their children, Lucas, Sarah Grace and Nathaniel
Nicki Maslin, Terri Sloan-Bartz, Theresa Vazquez and Cathy Roberts
Kneli Spenser, Joe Baird and Sandy Brown
Mary Silva, Elizabeth Thomason, Cynthia Falardeau and Judi Miller
Kelly Good, Claudia Jiménez and Anne Bieber
Jessica Keaton, Cheryl Conley and Rachel Daulby
Linda and Sam Block with Sue Tompkins
Janice McCord, Caroline Barker and Susan DelTufo
Beth Hofer and Peter O’Bryan
Dr. Mark Rendell, Alma Lee Loy, Wanda Lincoln and Dr. Ed Massey