School's Out for Rechi

Darien Principal bids farewell

Dana Sulger, former Ox Ridge PTO treasurer, Debi Boccanfuso, principal of Middlesex Middle School, Patty McCormick, Ox Ridge PTO Community Relations Chair, Lynn Hamlen, executive director of the Darien Nature Center, and Amy Squyres, former Board of Education chair

Dana Sulger, former Ox Ridge PTO treasurer, Debi Boccanfuso, principal of Middlesex Middle School, Patty McCormick, Ox Ridge PTO Community Relations Chair, Lynn Hamlen, executive director of the Darien Nature Center, and Amy Squyres, former Board of Education chair

Friends and colleagues gathered at the Darien Nature Center on June 8 to celebrate the retirement of Ox Ridge Elementary School Principal John Rechi after 26 years at the school. Rechi, who was hired as the school principal as a young man with a great belief in children, created close bonds with countless students, colleagues, and parents. Respected for his hands-on, interactive approach, the gregarious administrator is famous for remembering the names of students current and past, and for genuinely trying to connect and keep up with them.

The respect and admiration felt for Rechi was evident in the turnout for the party: 400 people came out to support him at the tribute.

Three days later, on June 11, the Ox Ridge Elementary held John Rechi Day to further celebrate his career as an educator. Students honored him by sporting white T-shirts with the words “World’s Greatest Principal.” The children also played games and sang songs about him.

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