Submitted Photo Local author Kerry Vasquezmarte, a Silver Creek parent, was recognized at a recent Board of Education meeting after publishing two children’s books. Vasquezmarte, right, is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston.

SILVER CREEK — A recent Board of Education meeting was overflowing with positivity, and it all began with the recognition of a local author who has made her home district proud.

Kerry Vasquezmarte, a Silver Creek parent, recently published two children’s books, titled, “Everybody Needs a Friend” and “Eww Germs”. As not only a parent of a child in the District, but also a former Silver Creek student, Vasquezmarte was welcomed by the District with open arms to present her books at a recent meeting.

“We obviously thought it was really exciting that she published two books,” Silver Creek Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston said. “… She cares a lot about kids and wants to be able to connect with them and help them. She did that through books, which is pretty amazing.”

Also at the recent meeting in support of Vasquezmarte was Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone, School Resource Officer Wes Johnson, and School Nurse Jen Johnson. Vasquezmarte has also offered to come read her books to students in the District.She has a huge support system. People were really happy to see her do this and put herself out there,” Ralston said. “… It was a really great addition to the meeting.”

Also at its recent meeting, the District recognized an employee who often goes above and beyond meeting the needs of students. Nick Gerard, the District’s lone School Psychologist, was recognized by Ralston and the Board at the recent meeting.

“There are some people who don’t make work seem like work. Nick is one of those people,” Ralston said. “He comes here and is just all in, here for anyone at any time.”

Gerard has been the only School Psychologist at Silver Creek for several years, serving the needs of children from kindergarten through their senior year. Still, despite the heavy workload not only in terms of numbers, but in terms of the emotional toll it takes on someone in his position to serve students in the ways a School Psychologist does, Gerard still manages to remain a positive influence on the District.

“That’s why Nick is so special. It doesn’t matter how high the demand is. I think every single person that meets with Nick thinks they are the only person he is talking to that day. He just knows how to give people that level of attention,” Ralston said.

Gerard, also known as D.J. Square for his work on the morning announcements, welcomes students each morning. Gerard also provided the voiceover for the District’s lockdown procedures to serve as a familiar voice of comfort in a moment of stress. Ralston gave Gerard a hug at the meeting as she presented him with a gift in front of the Board of Education.

“He absolutely deserved that recognition. He is someone that is a pillar of our District,” Ralston said.

Gerard was not the only employee to earn a shoutout from Ralston for their efforts with the District. Ralston also commended Business Manager Matt Miller for his work to secure an unmodified opinion from Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro, P.C., Certified Public Accountants, on the District’s independent audit report. The report was for the 2023-2024 school year, ending June 30.

Despite a transition in the business office following the departure of Lisa Rohloff, then an interim manager until Miller came on in June, right before the audit process concluded, the District still managed a clean audit.

“It was excellent. Huge shoutout to Matt Miller for that,” Ralston said. “You would’ve never known we were in the middle of an audit.”

The District also recognized its Board of Education at the recent meeting in honor of School Board Recognition Week. Tokens of appreciation were given to each member of the Board. The District’s theme this year is “Hope is a good thing”, and Ralston stated that it begins with the Board.

“They are the people that first instill hope in the District of where we can take our District,” Ralston said.

The next meeting of the Silver Creek Board of Education is Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.