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A Few Clouds North Bellmore's Newbridge Road School remembers longtime secretary, Christine Kropp
Bench installed outside elementary building a tribute to 'the most special person to have ever walked through the doors of Newbridge'
The North Bellmore community remembered Christine Kropp, a longtime secretary at Newbridge Road School, by dedicating a bench in her name in the school’s front yard on June 22.
During an outdoor ceremony filled with memories and tears, Kropp’s husband, Bill, and family members, district administrators, board of education trustees, school leaders, staff and dozens of teachers paid tribute to “the most special person to have ever walked through the doors of Newbridge,” according to Denise Fisher, the North Bellmore School District’s director of personnel.
Kropp began working at the school on June 28, 1999, and retired at the end of last school year. She died on Sept. 9, after a battle with cancer, at the age of 76.
With the weather last Thursday calling for rain, Fisher said she knew Kropp was watching over them and shedding a tear.
“There is no doubt she is here today,” Fisher said. “I learned so many things from her, more than just how to do my job. I learned how to love differently — how to enjoy life. I learned that family time is the most important time you’ll ever have, whether you’re at dinner, making cookies, on the soccer field.
“I also learned it’s important to make time for you, because you can’t give to everyone without giving to yourself,” she added. “I learned I will never love anyone the way I love Chris.”
Diana Agoglia, a member of Newbridge’s main office staff, honored Kropp with a poem, written in her memory. She spoke highly of Kropp’s work ethic, which she instilled in everyone.
“I pull a flier, your hand is there — your work ethics showed and taught me great care,” Agoglia read from the poem. “I miss you, Chris, but you cannot know, I’m so sorry that you had to go.”
Agoglia said the bench represents Kropp’s strong personality and offers everyone a place to rest and remember her.
“Keep watching us, Chris, I know you do,” she said. “The whole bunch of us here is loving you.”
Marie Testa, superintendent of schools in North Bellmore, said she’s never seen the district come together the way it did last week for the bench dedication.
“I look out with love and joy in my heart for all those who are here today in honor of Chris Kropp,” Testa said. “To Bill and the Kropp family, I have never seen such an outpouring of love in a district. I’ve been here 28 years, and this is just incredible — but it’s a testament to who Chris is, and was.”
Testa said that with the beautiful and tangible bench being dedicated in Kropp’s memory, the stories of all that Kropp did for Newbridge and the North Bellmore School District would endure for generations.
“The immeasurable, immeasurable contributions she made to this district will live on in each one of you, as long as you continue to tell the story of Chris Kropp,” Testa said. “To all who are new to our district, the people who are here that are senior will continue to speak about Chris and her legacy will go on, because that’s what happens when you have someone like Chris in your life. It’s the fabric of their being and space.”
Testa spoke about Kropp’s punctuality, and the way she would remind the superintendent to write a letter in October, even though it did not have to be sent to parents until the following March. Kropp also made tremendous contributions to the district’s calendar, Testa said, and because of this, the 2023-24 school year calendar will be dedicated to Kropp.
The trees surrounding Kropp’s bench would bloom every spring with bright, vibrant flowers — a truly picturesque place to relax and reflect, district officials said.
“What’s most important is the love we give, and the love we receive,” Testa said. “And while we can’t get her back physically, we can come here and sit here and share stories of Chris.”
Courtney Myers, a special education teacher at Newbridge, said she fondly remembers Kropp’s retirement party, and the way she danced her way into the celebration.
“The year passed in the blink of an eye,” Myers said. “I am a firm believer that the little things make the big things in life. It’s my hope that this bench will be a good way to honor and remember the little things that we’ll miss the most — her love for country music, her festive school spirit attire — her love for Tanger Outlets.”
In true Kropp fashion, the crowd celebrated her memory with ice cream bars, because she always preferred ice cream to cake, Myers said.
“Newbridge, you are her family,” Fisher said. “She loved you all, and she still does. I know she’s smiling at each and every one of us, and I know that this bench is going to mean the world to her, because it means the world to all of us, standing here today.”
