Dr. Jane Petrek Day at The Forum

he staff at The Forum, along with the School Board, colleagues, educators, and her many friends from throughout the District, convened at the Forum on May 30th, to celebrate Dr. Jane Petrek's career in education. Jane retires from the Dubuque Community School District in June. The gathering was to show our appreciation for the accomplishments she has made during her six years with the District. Those accomplishments included a comprehensive, curriculum-wide reading program, sound financial health, a District strategic plan that was collaborated upon by members representing the entire community, technology integration which included the high-speed wide-area-network, and an award-winning Web site. To see a 16 minute video of highlights from the gathering, click on the appropriate button below.

Perhaps the District's feelings toward Jane are best summed up in the hand-made card that accompanied a special portrait of Jane that was presented along with the Isabelle Bloom birdbath (for her garden). Here is the message from that card:

To Jane:

Your quiet, patient leadership by example,
your collaborative management style,
your sincere concern for our well being,
will certainly be missed.

But your great sense of humor,
your genuine concern for our feelings,
your love of children,
your seemingly limitless patience,
your thoughtfulness,
are what we will truly miss.

Your legacy of love for education
and the wonderful things you've accomplished
are not just yours to reflect upon and enjoy.
They have become ours, too, thanks to your
generosity of spirit and enthusiasm for
sharing credit with others.

You, Jane, have confirmed what we have
always hoped was true about leadership.
That the most effective leader is a
person with a good heart,
one who makes things happen by
sharing, inspiring, guiding, enabling, and
trusting.

From your Colleagues at The Forum