At the conclusion of a particularly long, busy day last September, Estabrook Elementary School Principal Pat DeRossett picked up an envelope addressed to her that was sitting on her desk.

Exhausted, she sat down and opened it to find a note from one of her former students. That student, John Frame, had just received his third master’s degree from Harvard, and wanted to thank DeRossett for the positive role she played in his education and life.

DeRossett said the note “touched her heart.”

“I thought to myself ‘This is what it’s all about.’ You make an impression on someone when they are young and they write back to tell you they appreciate what you did for them,” DeRossett said.

By all accounts, DeRossett has had a positive impact on innumerable students throughout her 40 years as an educator in the district, but as of June 30 she will bid farewell to Estabrook and the Ypsilanti Public School community.

In 2006, DeRossett was asked to work as a contract employee in order to save the district money. Now, the YPS is asking all contract employees to retire.

“I haven’t given it much thought, workin to get to june, once I take care of my responsibility ill think about me

DeRossett spent her first thirteen years in YPS teaching, and the next eight as Chapelle’s principal. After a quick year as Fletcher Elementary’s principal and one at a now-defunct alternative education program, the following 17 years have seen her at Estabrook’s helm.

Since the inception of the district’s school of choice program, Estabrook is annually the most requested building, and DeRossett said it's gratifying to see parents who she taught choose to send their kids to the school for the same experience.

“It’s reaffirming to have people want to come to your school,” DeRossett said. “But I think the greatest feeling of accomplishment is when parents I previously had as students want me to have their kids, too. I think that’s just terrific.”

Eastabrook’s excellence has also earned a reputation beyond the district. During the 2006-07 school year, it was recognized as a Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School by the Michigan State Board of Education - one of only 28 elementaries statewide to receive the distinction. The honor is reserved for schools that post five consecutive years of achievement in state testing and foster learning beyond routine classroom activities.

DeRossett said she has always felt enrichment activities are integral to developing a child’s interest in education, and has sought to make as many opportunities available to students as possible.

Among Estabrook's many offerings are the oratorical society, chess club, sewing club, scrabble club, recycle club and a 150-member strong student council.

“The activities create a culture of learning,” she explained. “Kids get excited and motivated when they succeed in a particular area. The interest carries over into other areas and you can watch their grades improve. The more interest you can generate, the more can kids you can reach.”

DeRossett credited a “wonderful staff” with their efforts in putting the school at the top of the state’s list of 4000 elementaries. “We were all very proud of the Blue Ribbon Award, but we took it in stride,” DeRossett said. “We know we have to keep doing it every year - you don’t reach a milestone and rest on your laurels. Every year you try to top the previous year.”

Prior to the Blue Ribbon Award, DeRossett received the Bob and Patricia Muth Leadership Award in 1988 while at Chapelle. The award is reserved for schools with high achievement rates among economically disadvantaged and minority students.

“We had some wonderful academic successes at that school,” DeRossett recalls.

She said one of the keys to success at Chapelle as Estabrook, has been high levels of parent involvement and a dedicated staff creating a tight-knit educational community.

“We have high standards and expectations, and it’s not just talk,” DeRossett said. “Once you become a part of it you realize we do raise the bar and we expect everyone to participate and do their best. We get a lot of parent support and it’s been gratifying to work with them.” Paula Drummond, president of the Estabrook PTO, described DeRossett as warm and caring, but noted she has a firm hand essential to running a tight ship.

“I think it takes a village,” she said of Estabrook's students' success. “It takes everyone - teachers, students, para-pros and administrators, but Pat is the anchor that holds it together.”

Kathy Micallef, a special education teacher consultant at the school, agreed.

“Pat is very dedicated,” she said. “Being Estabrook’s principal has been the centerpiece of her life, and the students, staff and community have benefited from her love of being in the education realm.”

Micallef also said students also benefit from DeRossett’s ability to be a caring leader while also creating a safe learning environment.

“The kids realize there are consequences for their actions,” she said. “When the whole student body knows they have to answer to Mrs. DeRossett, they follow the rules and procedures.”

Micallef said DeRossett also expects the best from her staff, but unfailingly shows appreciation for their efforts. That has led to a high level of dedication among staff, she explained.

“She has always been super supportive,” Micallef said. “She has high expectations, but she sees when people go above and beyond and will recognize it with a thank you note or something like that - it is very much appreciated.”

Happier, hard-working teachers in turn create a better learning environment and helps produce students like Frame, who can one day boast three master's degrees from Harvard.

DeRossett said she is proud of all her students, and while her days as principal may be coming to a close, she plans to continue dedicating her energy to educating young people.

“I’ve always been committed to the community and I love the kids, parents and staff who I worked with,” she said. “I’m not willing to totally give it up, so I’ll pursue something related. I’ve just loved being part of the educational community here.”