2 NOVEMBER 25, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
I.S. 77 renamed after former superintendent Joseph F. Quinn
BY ALICIA VENTER
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
I.S. 77 in Ridgewood has been renamed
aft er its previous principal
and superintendent, Joseph F.
Quinn.
Dozens of friends and faculty who
worked with Quinn gathered to express
their admiration and love for the
man, who passed away in December of
2020, during a renaming ceremony on
Wednesday, Oct. 20, at what is now the
Joseph F. Quinn Intermediate School 77.
Tears were a common sight at the
renaming ceremony, making it evident
the love that those around Quinn had
for him. Among those who spoke at the
event was current superintendent of
District 24, Madelene Chan, who
followed in Quinn’s powerful legacy.
She shared her fi rst meeting with him
aft er being superintendent, in which
he showed humbleness and kindness,
upholding the glowing reputation that
preceded him.
Aft er laughing over the complexities
of being superintendent, he shared
with her something she said she will
never forget.
“District 24 is a lion of a district, and
being a superintendent here is like being
the lion tamer,” Quinn told Chan.
“You crack the whip hard, but always
remember to have a heart.”
I.S. 77, which serves grades sixth
through eighth, has a heart just like
Quinn, she shared, and she is “confi -
dent that the Joseph F. Quinn School
will emulate all the qualities he possessed
as a formidable, unforgettable
leader.”
Deputy Superintendent Emeritus
August Saccoccio, who worked sideby
side with Quinn, also shared his
elation at the renaming of the school,
as well as endearing memories of
Quinn. His poker face and quiet voice
remain in Saccoccio’s memory and
bring a smile to his face.
“The honor bestowed on Joe Quinn
today will preserve the memory of a
great and wonderful man,” Saccoccio
shared.
Those who had not met Quinn
still came and shared their respect.
The event had a surprise visit from
Jenifer Rajkumar, the New York State
Assembly member representing the
38th district, including the Queens
neighborhoods of Glendale, Ozone
Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood and
Woodhaven.
Another community member at the
event was Connie Altamirano, a community
activist and a member of Community
Education Council for District
24. Though she did not know Quinn,
Altamirano attended the school when
it was an annex to I-93, and said his reputation
has preceded him throughout
the community, which he was heavily
active in.
“Everywhere I go in the community,
all I hear are wonderful things,” Altamirano
said. “The children came
fi rst and he loved the community.”
Many already saw I.S. 77 as Quinn’s
school even before it was offi cially
named aft er him.
“Thank you to the Community Education
Council and the Department of
Education for approving this naming,”
Chan said. “Since the pandemic started,
we haven’t really felt like we’ve had
many wins. But today is a win for all
of us.”
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar at I.S. 77 renaming ceremony.
Photo by Alicia Venter
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