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Forestville Elementary honors former principal

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl On the last day of school, Elaine Heichberger visited Forestville Elementary School to deliver the flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of former Forestville Elementary School Principal Donald N. Lazar. Pictured from left to right are Forestville Superintendent Renee Garrett, Heichberger a former Forestville first grade teacher, and Forestville Elementary Principal Lindsay Marcinelli.

FORESTVILLE — While some may remember Donald N. Lazar as a two-term village of Gowanda trustee, the former mayor of Gowanda or a teacher at the North Collins Correctional Facility, in Forestville, he is fondly remembered as the elementary school principal. Recently, Gowanda resident Elaine Heichberger decided to honor his service to the Forestville and Gowanda communities by contacting Congressman Tom Reed to receive a flag in Lazar’s honor.

Heichberger considers herself fortunate to be among those who worked with Lazar and experienced, firsthand, his kindness, compassion and dedication to his community. “I taught first grade at Forestville from 1964 until the early 1970s,” Heichberger explained. Both she and Lazar received their degrees from SUNY Buffalo State. “He remembered that I did have a music background,” Heichberger explained. “He remembered me at Buff State because I accompanied the men’s glee club, and I think that’s how he made the connection.”

According to Heichberger, Lazar, who served as principal from 1962 to 1988, was dedicated to his students, as well as his country. “Any patriotic day, he would be on top of it, involving all the kids,” she said. “He served in the U.S. Army, and anything at school that could be patriotic, he did it.”

Heichberger recalled a Forestville Central School anniversary celebration, in which she played an important part, thanks to Lazar. “He came in one afternoon after school and asked, ‘Could you come up with something to honor the faculty with the anniversary coming up for the school?’,” she recalled. “That weekend, I wrote up a skit for the cafeteria — there was no auditorium back then — for an evening performance. Every faculty member, custodians, the librarian, everyone was involved in that program.”

Heichberger recounted the exciting evening, made even more special by the rented formal attire worn by the men and the black skirts and white tops made for the women, complete with sharp black hats. “We had many, many really great experiences here, and the kids were just wonderful,” said Heichberger. “I know society has changed, but I hope the kids haven’t.”

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl A plaque at the entrance of Forestville Elementary School honors Donald N. Lazar, who served as elementary school principal for over 25 years and is still fondly remembered for his time at the district.

Current Forestville Elementary Principal Lindsay Marcinelli confirmed that while much has changed, the character of Forestville’s students has not. “We keep saying that Forestville is the best kept secret,” Marcinelli said. “Our students are just wonderful; they’re not like this everywhere else. We’re very proud of them.”

After 11 years, Heichberger left her position at Forestville to start a family, but she fondly recalls Lazar’s influence on her career and her students’ lives. One of those students was June Prince, who currently serves as Forestville district clerk and secretary to the superintendent. Deb Janiak, who currently teaches kindergarten at Forestville Elementary School, was hired right after Heichberger left, and is one of few individuals remaining at the district who worked with Lazar.

Forestville Superintendent Renee Garrett recalled the day Lazar’s obituary was published on January 19, 2019. “W sent a notice to all the faculty and staff of his passing,” she explained. “Deb Janiak, who’s been here 47 years as a teacher, was the one who came right to me and said, ‘Renee, I know you didn’t know Mr. Lazar, but he was an amazing man.’ Because of Deb Janiak, we have a plaque in honor of Don when you first walk in. She was so inspired by him.”

In addition to Lazar’s work in Forestville, Heichberger recognized his work in the village of Gowanda, where he served as mayor for 18 years. “I called Congressman Reed’s office to see if we could get a flag in honor of Mr. Lazar,” she explained. “This flag was sent to me, and I’m giving it to the school to fly in his honor.”

The documents that accompany the flag certify that it was flown over the U.S. Capitol on March 1, 2019: “At the request of the Honorable Tom Reed, Member of Congress, this flag was flown in honor of Donald Lazar for his service to the Gowanda Community.”

According to Garrett, proper handling of the flag is still an important part of elementary students’ education, and she is looking forward to flying this flag in Lazar’s honor throughout the upcoming school year.

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