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For more than four decades, the heart of Bentheim Elementary has sat behind the front desk, offering a warm smile, a steady presence, and a genuine love for her school community. Now, after 42 years of dedicated service, beloved secretary Cindy Schipper is preparing to close this incredible chapter and enter a well-earned retirement.

Schipper began her journey with Hamilton Community Schools in 1984 as a playground aide, a role she took on while raising her two children as a stay-at-home mom. What began as a half-hour-a-day job soon turned into a lifetime calling. When the school secretary at the time—her friend and neighbor—retired, Cindy stepped in. The rest, as she says, “is history.”

Over the years, Bentheim Elementary has grown and changed, but one constant has remained: Cindy. She’s been there through generations of families, helping students start their day with a cheerful greeting or a comforting hug, navigating countless office duties, and serving not only as a secretary but also as the school librarian for a time.

“This place means everything to us,” Schipper said. “We live here in Bentheim, our kids went to Bentheim, and now our grandkids are here too. I can’t quite wrap my brain around not being here.”

Cindy had planned to retire a year earlier but chose to stay one final year so she could enjoy having both of her grandchildren at Bentheim. “That’s been so special to me,” she said. “Just getting that one more year with them here—it meant the world.”

Through the years, she has become a trusted friend to countless staff members, students, and families. Her calm demeanor, quick wit, and steady leadership have shaped the school culture and created a welcoming environment that feels more like home than a workplace.

While retirement may bring some tears, Cindy is also excited for what lies ahead—spending more time with her husband Tom, their grandchildren, and maybe even some travel.

“People ask how I feel, and it’s both happy and sad,” she shared. “Sad because it will be very, very hard to leave. But happy to start a new chapter.”

As the final school bell rings on June 6, it will mark the end of an era at Bentheim Elementary. However, Cindy Schipper’s legacy of kindness, service, and community spirit will remain for generations to come.