Almost everyone in attendance at Dr. Robert Moore’s farewell barbecue Sunday afternoon wore a pin. The director of the Martha’s Vineyard Public School school is retiring this year after 20 years of service, and the main hall of the school was packed with students, parents, teachers and alumni who gathered to say thank you and farewell.
Some wore pins that said “Bob’s fan club,” others said “grateful 4 BOB.” Others had a cartoon of the retiring director barbecuing in his tie and Red Sox apron: “BBQ 4 BOB.”
Adele Stearns, who is a second grader at the charter school, wore a pin with a frosted donut on it that said simply, “BOB.”
Mr. Moore has become known for sharing donuts with students in his office once a week. Adele said it was no problem at all to come back to school on a Sunday to celebrate Mr. Moore.
“He’s very nice,” she said eagerly as she crunched on her croutons. “Sometimes he comes into our class and reads books to us.”
“He is amazing,” her mother, Alison Stearns, agreed. “He is very approachable and kind. And it’s like this all the time,” she said, gesturing around the main hall of the school, which was packed with children and adults sharing a meal together, laughing and reminiscing.
A giant banner that said “Thank you Bob” hung at the far end, colored in by students. People ate meals on reusable plates and silverware. Compost buckets were distributed throughout the hall.
Mr. Moore is known for developing a deep sense of community at the school and for his dedication to child-centered learning. Former students, parents and staff talked again and again about those gifts.
“The reason I wanted to work here is there is so much focus on the child,” said school counselor Cleo Wild. “Bob shapes that culture.”
Charter school alumnus Avery Lazes agreed. “The biggest thing you’ve got to know about Bob, is that every time he sees you he says, ‘How we doing?’”
Mr. Lazes attended the school through eighth grade. He recently graduated from Berklee College of Music and returned to spend the summer on the Island. “He was always someone you could go and talk to,” he said. “I think sometimes the word principal is associated with bad guy, but Bob was a friend.”
Mr. Moore was the first full-time director of the school, beginning his tenure in 1998.
Paul Karasik, who helped found the school, led the whole crowd as they sang Circle of the Sun for Mr. Moore. The school usually sings that song at morning meetings for students on their birthdays.
“We haven’t had too many directors at the Charter School, so we’re going to start a tradition,” said Mr. Karasik. He then presented a portrait of Mr. Moore by Ken Vincent, Island painter and art teacher. It will hang in the main hall of the school, where children gather each morning.
Sitting down for a moment at the party, Mr. Moore could hardly finish a sentence without being greeted and thanked by a former student or parent. He said he is confident he’s leaving the school in a good position, with good teachers, high enrollment, and a strong community.
“To see the people here who represent many of the last 20 years, has been most meaningful to me,” he said. “I’m joyful that I’ve been able to do my little contribution to the school to make it where it is today.”
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