Inside the Marcellus Community Schools – December 18, 2025

by Doug Maher, Principal
Volinia Outcomes School

   My name is Doug Maher. I teach math, and I am also the principal at Volinia Outcomes School. As a veteran educator of 31 years, I have never witnessed a more generous and authentic gift of time and materials than what our students recently received. Susie Balkema, a Marcellus graduate, brought in undecorated wreaths and all the trimmings so that every Volinia student could create a wreath to keep or to gift. Not only did she supply everything, but she also worked one-on-one with nearly every student. Her patience, kindness, and warmth filled the room.

   It truly moved me to see someone from our community invest so deeply in the lives of our children. Students are sponges — while they may not always absorb as much algebra as I’d like, they absolutely absorb kindness and generosity. Experiences like this shape them. They make it more likely that our students will one day give back to the community that gives so much to them.

   I was genuinely taken aback by how much the students loved and enjoyed the activity. I see our students at their best and their worst, and that day I saw gratitude shining through, even from those who didn’t say a word. They took such pride in their work.

   Just a week earlier, our students hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for their parents, community members, and the administration of Marcellus Schools. They created decorations, helped clean the building, made desserts, and served the food. Once again, I saw pride in what they had accomplished.

   People often say that students don’t care. But I see every day that our students do care — about each other, about their school, and about something bigger than themselves. I am proud to be part of Volinia School, and even more proud of our students — who they are now, and who they are becoming.

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