Long-Time OES Committee Chair Celebrated

ORLEANS – When Gail Briere showed up at town hall May 18 for what was to be her last meeting as a member of the Orleans Elementary School committee, she found many school staffers and supporters waiting for her.

“I will say that this took me by complete surprise, walking into the town hall and seeing all of you standing there,” she said. “I’m thinking, ‘what is going on?’”

But for the many supporters who turned out, the recognition was warranted. Time was given at the outset of the May 18 meeting to honor Briere, who opted against seeking re-election at last month’s annual town election after serving four terms as chair.

“She has been my mentor,” said Sasandra Roche, the board’s current chair. “I talk to her most days as soon as I get up, and she has guided me through big decisions, small decisions. She has helped me spell stabilization when I can’t, and she’s a true friend.”

Briere was hired as principal at OES in 1999, a position she held until 2007, when she was promoted to assistant superintendent of the Nauset Public Schools. But select board member Kevin Galligan, who recently toured the elementary school while classes were in session, said even today, the mark she made on the school lives on.

“Your presence, even while not physically in that room, is in that entire building,” he said. “The projects, the energy, the love that you can feel.”

OES Kindergarten Teacher Jessica Murray celebrated Briere with an acrostic poem. She said she was “grateful” for Briere's leadership and mentorship and for her decision to hire her as a teacher in 2003. She celebrated Briere as an “advocate” for students, even those who needed rides to school. She spoke of Briere’s “integrity” as an educator and applauded her “leadership,” which she said was always rooted in “love” for her students and staff.

“I have loved working for you and with you,” Murray said. “I have loved watching you and benefiting from your stewardship, no matter the helm that you’re navigating from. And I have loved being part of the school community that you have continually poured your love into for more than 30 years.”

In recent years, Briere actively advocated for Orleans’ pre-kindergarten program and was vocal in discussions over the siting of a new fire station and how that project might impact the neighboring elementary school.

Committee member Ginger Marks gave an “ode” to Briere, celebrating her achievements as both the school’s principal and committee chair.

“It is impossible to measure what you have given to Nauset Public Schools in general, and Orleans Elementary School in particular,” she said, calling Briere’s involvement in the school and the district “the greatest gift” to the community.

Briere also was presented with a painting of the elementary school that formerly hung in the school’s office. State Rep. Hadley Luddy, D-Orleans, presented her with a proclamation recognizing her years of service to the elementary school and the community.

Luddy said she’s witnessed Briere’s “extraordinary” leadership up close.

“I am obviously a proud, longtime Orleans resident of more than 30 years,” she said. “But one of the highlights of living here for me was having all three of my children attend Orleans Elementary School, which is such a special and magical place.”

Taking Briere’s seat will be Ron Collins, who is set to join the committee at its next meeting. But while she is no longer a committee member, Briere said she will still be plenty involved in the Nauset district. That includes continuing to serve on the steering committee overseeing the district’s regionalization and efficiency efforts and remaining active in Orleans’ pre-kindergarten program.

“I have loved working for you folks,” she said. “It’s just been my honor to be there for you, and I will continue to be there for you. I’ll just be sitting on that side of the audience.”