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. Photo sent

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

Silver Creek parent Kerry Vasquezmarte recently published two children’s books, “Everybody Needs a Friend” and “Eww Germs.” As not only a parent of a District child, 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 very exciting that she published two books,” said Silver Creek Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston. “… He cares a lot about kids and wants to be able to connect with them and help them. She did it through the books, which is pretty amazing.”

Also at the recent meeting in support of Vasquezmarte were Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone, school resource officer Wes Johnson and school nurse Jen Johnson. Vasquezmarte also offered to come read his books to students in the District.

“He has a huge support system. People were really happy to see her do that and she put herself out there,” Ralston said. “… He was a really great addition to the meeting.”

Also at its recent meeting, the District recognized an employee who often goes above and beyond to meet the needs of students. Nick Gerard, the district’s only 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 in here and he’s just totally, here for anybody at all times.”

Gerard has been the sole school psychologist at Silver Creek for several years, serving the needs of children from Kindergarten through Senior Year. However, despite the heavy burden not only numerically but also emotionally for someone in his position to serve students in the way that 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 big the demand is. I think every person who meets Nick thinks he’s the only person they talk to that day. He just knows how to give people that level of attention,” Ralston said.

Gerard, also known as DJ Square for his work on the morning announcements, welcomes students every morning. Gerard also provided the voiceover for the district’s containment procedures to serve as a familiar voice of comfort in a time of stress. Ralston hugged Gerard at the meeting as she presented him with a gift in front of the Board of Education.

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

Gerard wasn’t the only employee to earn a shout-out from Ralston for their efforts with the District. Ralston also praised business manager Matt Miller for his work in obtaining an unmodified opinion from Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro, PC, Certified Public Accountants, on the District’s independent audit report. The report was for the 2023-2024 school year, which ended June 30.

Despite a transition in the business office after the departure of Lisa Rohloff, then interim manager until Miller stepped in in June, just before the audit process ended, the District still managed a clean audit.

“It was excellent. Kudos to Matt Miller for that,” Ralston said. “You would never have 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 awarded to each member of the Council. This year’s District theme is “Hope is a Good Thing,” and Ralston said it starts with the Council.

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

The next Silver Creek Board of Education meeting is Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m.