The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Students, staffers give McGuire an emotional sendoff
Elementary principal receives surprise party on his last day of school
By Alana West, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: February 1, 2007
Every student, teacher and parent at Klager Elementary School Friday shook retiring Principal John McGuire's hand or gave him a hug following a special assembly in his honor.
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McGuire retired Friday after 35 years with the Manchester School District, eight of those years as principal at Klager.
"When he walks in the door, give him a big round of applause," Ron Tindall, a fourth-grade teacher, said to students before the surprise assembly.
Students had decorated the gymnasium with large banners expressing congratulations and good luck upon his retirement.
Tindall talked about McGuire's time at the school, and introduced the students to the outgoing principal's family, including McGuire's wife, Karin; daughter, Susan; and granddaughter, Nicole, who attended the assembly.
"I have a special visitor pass with John McGuire's name on it. He can come back any time, any day," said Tindall, while handing McGuire a permanent name tag to keep.
A video presentation included photographs of McGuire's childhood and special moments throughout his career with the district.
"It's OK to laugh when you see some of these pictures," McGuire told the students as the slide show began.
One especially enjoyed by the children showed McGuire sporting clothing and a hairstyle popular in the 1970s.
"How many kids here had parents who had Mr. McGuire for a teacher?" Tindall asked the crowd.
About half the students raised their hands. Some of the teachers raised their hands to acknowledge that they had McGuire as a teacher. Among them were Kathy Rose, Amie Clark and Jim Krzyzaniak.
To celebrate the occasion, Sandi Graff wrote a special song, which students sung to the tune of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."
It went like this: "Our principal Mr. McGuire is Going to retire. We hope you find fun things to do and take your wife with you, too. Travel and visit your grandkids. Have fun and be cool. Have a great retirement, but come back and visit our school. For he's a jolly good fellow, our good friend Mr. McGuire."
Art teacher Carrie Resh said students helped create the banners, and made a large, colorful card that was signed by faculty and students.
McGuire's career began at Pleasant Lake School, where he taught fourth grade. He moved up in his career through a position in the central office, launched the computer technology program in the district and spent the last eight years as principal at Klager.
His retirement plans include camping and fishing with his wife, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Both of McGuire's daughters, Molly and Susan, attended school in Manchester. Molly graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in education. She is a high school chemistry teacher. Susan graduated from the University of Toledo and is a registered nurse at Toledo Hospital.
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