Health & Fitness
Joan Fretz Feted at Retirement Party
Joan R. Fretz was given a spirited send-off during a crowded retirement party at the Head of the Bay Club. The Huntington School District’s longtime director of fine and performing arts is leaving her post at the end of the month after 26 years.
Mrs. Fretz’ career in education began 36 years ago in Manhasset. “My first mentor, Rosemary McKeough saw something in me that I didn’t really see in myself,” she said. “She labeled those attributes and created opportunities for me to develop my skills. She believed so strongly in me, that I was compelled to follow through and meet the goals that she helped identify.”
The retirement party drew a large crowd of teachers, administrators, current and former district trustees, band parent leaders, former students, student-teachers and support staff members.
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“Everyone here has played such an important part in my 26 years in Huntington,” Mrs. Fretz said. “You all have taught me something important and provided opportunities for me to try new things that were not exactly in my job description. I thrive on new challenges, and after the initial question, ‘What does this have to do with music and art?’ you jumped on board and came along for the ride. Together, I believe we have discovered what we and our students need to thrive.”
Mrs. Fretz earned an undergraduate degree in music education at Hofstra University. She obtained a master’s degree in music education and a professional diploma in educational administration at Long Island University. She holds a master level certificate in the Orff-Schulwerk approach to music education from Memphis State University.
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Prior to coming to Huntington, Mrs. Fretz served as director of fine arts in the Elwood School District. She has also worked as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and has been a distinguished presenter at state and national music conferences across North America.
Mrs. Fretz has garnered a reputation for developing interdisciplinary projects that use music and movement to teach all areas of the school curriculum. She began her career as a vocal music teacher in the Manhasset school district where she developed a sequential music literacy program and completed her administrative internship there.
“Celebrated our successes”
“I’m so proud to have you all meet my immediate family,” Mrs. Fretz told the crowd at the Bay Club. “They’ve been wondering for years what I’ve been doing all those evenings and weekends at work. The truth is I’ve been having a great time, playing with my extended family; the most incredibly talented group of teachers and office managers. Our office is really quite a unique place and would make a great sitcom. There’s tons of drama, laughs, venting and an incredible amount of hard work. We have celebrated our successes and supported each other in the saddest of times.”
The retirement party featured works of art, classical music, a humorous video and various performances and testimonial speeches. Mrs. Fretz’ secretaries Janet O’Neill and Sandy Rabinowitz organized the affair, which took on the tone of a celebration.
“This has been such an incredible evening,” Mrs. Fretz said. “I am so touched that you are all here with me tonight. Thank you so much, Janet and Sandy, for putting together this beautiful event at one of the most breathtaking places in Huntington Harbor. You both worked so hard at the busiest time of the year and along with our amazing art and music teachers you created a fun and special evening that I will always remember.”
Over the course of her career, Mrs. Fretz has devoted many years of volunteer service to educational associations. She is a past-president of the Long Island American Orff-Schulwerk Association, served for seven years as the state chairperson for elementary music for New York State, and is currently on the executive board of the Long Island Social Emotional Literacy Forum, which she helped establish. Named a trustee of the International Alliance of Invitational Education, Mrs. Fretz’s professional reputation extends far beyond the boundaries of the district.
What makes kids tick
“I had heard a great deal about Joan before I arrived; not just about her success in leading the music and art departments here, but also about her work in the social and emotional learning arena,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “That first summer I witnessed some of the fruits of her labor in the form of a very successful summer program. That summer she was also instrumental in helping me prepare for my first staff address. The topic: a correlation between determining what makes kids tick individually and their success as students and as people. In education, what stronger correlation can be made?”
Looking out across the retirement party crowd, Mrs. Fretz said she could see the “strengths and unique talents” of her colleagues. “I love telling you about your talents,” she said. “I’ve come to believe that it’s my mission as a mother, friend, and school leader. I love seeing the light in your eyes and the energy that we feel, while discussing the possibilities ahead. That’s what I’ll miss most.”
During her formal remarks, Mrs. Fretz acknowledged the “amazing and dedicated” arts-in-education committee volunteers she has worked with and thanked “past and current board members, my beloved custodians, our caring security guards, my teaching buddies from the elementary and high schools, my administrative colleagues, my SEL (social and emotional learning) friends and my family.”
Mrs. Fretz said she has spent a lot of time studying the idea of educational experts. “But, the real experts in our midst are our students,” she said. “Their wise counsel about what motivates them has led me to my next project: to help schools create optimal learning environments in which our students and teachers can thrive and become all that they can be.”
Sarah Gill, a Huntington High School graduate has been appointed to replace Mrs. Fretz as of July 1. “I will miss working with all of you and you will thrive with your new director, Sarah,” Mrs. Fretz told her colleagues. “She’s bright and talented and has already seen the wonders you accomplish. Together you will take our programs to new heights. I will never forget your kind words, hugs, and the incredible tribute by my staff and hundreds of high school students at their final concert.”
Mrs. Fretz said that while she has enjoyed working with her fine and performing arts colleagues, they do not need her to be successful. “You simply need to remember that you have inside of you everything that you need to fulfill your and your students’ dreams,” she said.
Excellent educational leader
“Joan is an excellent educational leader,” Mr. Polansky said. “If you speak with her staff, they will describe Joan in terms of the perfect leadership formula: Recognize talent; recommend the right people for hire; provide them with the resources, guidance and support that they need; get out of their way and let them do their jobs. And look at what she contributed to building in Huntington. It is a district characterized by many wonderful things, not the least of which is a marquee fine and performing arts department. I respect the fact that she is a staunch advocate for her departmental programs, her staff and for Huntington students. Indeed, it is a primary factor contributing to our arts-related growth and success over the years.”
When it came time to conclude her remarks, Mrs. Fretz drew the crowd’s attention to one of the greatest movies of all-time. “Do you remember the end of The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy wondered how she would ever get home without the Wizard?” Mrs. Fretz asked. “She discovered that she had the power to get there all by herself. She just needed to learn that for herself. So click your heels three times together, my Huntington friends. Stay strong and focused, and passionate about your work, and I will be watching you continue to do great things together.”