LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Antonietta Castaldo upon the occasion of
her retirement after 30 distinguished years as an educator

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this great
State; and
WHEREAS, The result of many individual efforts, the excellence and the
success of St. Ephrem School is due in large part to the efforts of
Antonietta Castaldo; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Antonietta
Castaldo upon the occasion of her retirement after 30 distinguished
years as an educator, to be celebrated at a Retirement Party held in her
honor and hosted by her proud parents; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, at the age of 17, Antonietta Castaldo arrived in the
United States, along with her mother and sister; she came to the country
to find work and to help provide for her family; for many years, she
worked throughout the day and went to school to learn English at night;
and
WHEREAS, Antonietta Castaldo was called to the Sisters of Cabrini
where she served for nearly a decade as a sister and received her train-
ing in the Montessori curriculum; and
WHEREAS, Her love for children and for teaching has grown with each
year; in that time, Antonietta Castaldo has touched the lives of count-
less children and their families, teaching at schools such as St.
Anthony's in Kearney, New Jersey, and Sacred Heart in downtown Brooklyn;
and
WHEREAS, For the past 23 years Antonietta Castaldo has been teaching
at St. Ephrem's as the kindergarten teacher, where she is lovingly known
to all as Ms. Annette; and
WHEREAS, Each and every child that has had Antonietta Castaldo in the
past 23 years and beyond, has received an abundance of knowledge, confi-
dence, unconditional love, and spiritual guidance; and
WHEREAS, An inspiration to all who know her, Antonietta Castaldo has
dedicated her life to teaching; she has worked after hours in the after
school program, and donated many of her weekends, as well as dedicated
her summers for 10 years at the Leif Erickson School Camp; and
WHEREAS, Even in retirement, children are Antonietta Castaldo's life
and will continue to be, wherever she goes from here; and
WHEREAS, Antonietta Castaldo has continually demonstrated an impres-
sive dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm
for the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered at
St. Ephrem School for the benefit of its faculty and students, as well
as for the entire community; and
WHEREAS, In completing her service as a teacher, Antonietta Castaldo
leaves behind more than mere bricks and mortar; she leaves behind a
legacy to the residents of her community and to future generations of
its students; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Antonietta Castaldo upon the occasion of her retirement after 30
distinguished years as an educator, and for her significant contrib-
utions to education in New York State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Antonietta Castaldo.