BON VOYAGE
DUSTY BURWELL EXITS AFTER 22 YEARS AT SYCAMORE As she wraps up her 22nd year at Sycamore School, we wanted to catch up with Dusty Burwell, who has been in charge of the Quest programs, both the before and after-school session, and the summer programs. Burwell, who started as a grade-level assistant, is a beloved person in the history of Sycamore. She talks about how she started at the school, some of her favorite memories, and where she is headed next. “Her greatest strength has always been the connections she makes
office at lunchtime to eat M&M’s and visit with me. I will also
with our students,” says Glenna Lykens, Head of Lower School.
miss my paper calendars and the provider of my paper calendars
“Students love the creativity Dusty brings, and she integrates our
and the ‘We are, We are, Lower School! Lower School!’ chants,
core values into the activities students do. It’s always fun to see the
and that’s just to name a few.”
notes of gratitude she gets,” she says. “Even as students grow up, alumni have come back to visit and catch up with Dusty. There
WHO HAS HELPED YOU THE MOST?
are some students that have seen Dusty in the mornings and
“Glenna Lykens has helped me in making my programs
afternoons throughout their Sycamore years.”
successful. She either gives me a thumbs up to go with my plan, or tweaks my plan to make it work for everyone. Thank you,
TELL US HOW YOU CAME TO SYCAMORE,
Glenna! For the past two years, Kenzie has been the rock in
AND HOW YOU BEGAN IN THE QUEST PROGRAM.
the EC Quest room. The Quest staff, the after-school activities
“My first year at Sycamore, I was a 1st Grade Assistant, and I
instructors, and the Quest Summer Camp instructors have all
loved doing song time with the kids two or three times a week.
been there to help Quest and the programs be what they are
One day I was asked to go into Diane Ridings’ office. She asked
today. My neighbors, the Technology Department, have been
me to start up the before and after-school program and direct the
there for me, too. Thank you!”
Summer Camps. I couldn’t say no. I came up with the name and the program. I have loved pretty much every minute and am proud of the rapport Quest has with parents, students, and staff, and the success of all of the programs.”
WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU?
“When I turned in my letter to Diane on March 3, I didn’t quite think the end of the year would end the way it did. Hopefully, we can return to school in August, and I will be able to say good-bye
WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST?
to the students, staff, and parents. My plan is to move to West
“What will I miss? The little hugs in the hall. I will miss reading,
Lafayette and to find a job there. If nothing opens up soon, I do
crafts, games, and music. I love that the class of 2022 stops by my
make a good cup of coffee.” n
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