Staff enjoys final day at school

New Prague Area Schools honored retiring staff and teachers in a number of ways Thursday and Friday, May 26 and 27, but Polli Edberg and Mary Kay Bachel were not expecting their send off.

The two staff members at Raven Stream Elementary School were on the playground near the end of the last day of school on May 26 for an interview and photos with Principal Pat Pribyl. When all the students began gathering behind them and the opening strains of "Celebration" started playing, Bachel said, "Mr. Pribyl, what have you done?"

The surprise retirement farewell for special education teacher Bachel and school social worker Edberg was actually the idea of their fellow teachers at the school on the west side of New Prague. Students gathered on the edges of the school’s basketball court and danced as Bachel and Edberg took their places in the center. Across from them a line of students held large white cards. Flipping the cards, they spelled out a message for the two, "Thank you, we will miss you."

With music still playing, many students gathered around Bachel, who has worked for the school district for 19 years, and Edberg, an employee for 31 years. The two talked with the students, traded goodbyes and from several of the students received hugs.

"I have seen a lot of changes," said Edberg about her field of work. "The family has always been involved, but there is more education in the field of family structure."

Bachel also noted changes in her field. She has enjoyed her work especially the people she works with. "I go from my family at home to my family at school," she said. "It has been fun to come to work."

Her retirement will include more time with her grandchildren and her husband, Al. and their children.

"This has been an awesome community," said Edberg, who has worked for principal Bob Gullickson and Pat Pribyl. Her husband, Dave, is the industrial technology teacher at New Prague High School and has helped with many of the sets in that school’s plays and musicals.

For her retirement she will be spending more time with her grandchildren and traveling. She added, "I’m going to ride off into the sunset."