Bellmore Principal's Retirement Celebrated

Story written by Kelly Mooney 

Following 25 years in the Bellmore School District, Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center Principal Clifford Molinelli is ready to hang up his keys to the school and enter into retirement. Before he can do that, the students and staff organized a surprise assembly program to toast and congratulate the man who has led the school for the past five years.

During the 45-minute ceremony, Molinelli was presented with a scrapbook of memories featuring a page from every class. Each class also shared their favorite “Molinelli Moment,” including “dressing up funny for PARP,” his “really loud laugh” and his habit of “reading books to them.”

“We love you and thank you for all that you do,” said first-grade teacher Lauren Giordano, who helped organize the event. “You will be missed, but never forgotten.”

The assembly continued with a slideshow that included Molinelli’s baby and family photos as well as photos documenting his professional career. Diane Kalish, Molinelli’s secretary, presented him with candy and gift cards for the movies, bookstores and home improvement stores, to prepare him for retired life.

To conclude the program, the PTA presented Molinelli with a gold star to document his years as a Reinhard Rising Star, and the students sang a special song to the tune of the “Mickey Mouse Club March.”

Moved by the presentation, Molinelli thanked everyone for the program, saying, “The one thing I will miss most is all of your faces.”