Norbert Joseph Kowalkowski Obituary

I was in 6th grade at Amesti School. I was extremely shy. Teachers had a hard time getting me to talk at all in class and I avoided conflict with my classmates by isolating myself at times. I was always most concerned about being the "good girl."

One day we were competing in our Olympic Day getting ready for a high jump. I was waiting in line for my turn. The girl behind me was my bully. I don't recall

I was in 6th grade at Amesti School. I was extremely shy. Teachers had a hard time getting me to talk at all in class and I avoided conflict with my classmates by isolating myself at times. I was always most concerned about being the "good girl."

One day we were competing in our Olympic Day getting ready for a high jump. I was waiting in line for my turn. The girl behind me was my bully. I don't recall what exactly she said but it was non-stop put downs. I'd been suffering a few years of this. Evidently I had taken enough because I pulled back my arm and just slugged her in the gut! She looked at me stunned. I immediately ran down the hallway and turned into the office right past our secretary and into Mr. Kowalkowski's office. I was crying. Sobbing. He told me to sit down. I sobbed some more as I told him he needed to suspend me but that I couldn't take it anymore.

I can still see his face trying to surpress that grin. He tried to be stern but just couldn't. No suspension just a call to my mom. I think I just kept crying. I told him this story many decades later and was happy that he remembered. We had a nice chuckle together. Yep. Being a good girl paid off that afternoon.

Our sincerest prayers and condolences to Norb's families. Coincidentally two weeks ago, we were visiting my sister in law in Watsonville I asked her if she had heard anything about Norbert. She hadn't. And yesterday she called me to tell me about his death. Norbert and I were appointed principal and vice principal respectively in March, 1975,in the midst of students and parents strive with the school. He included me in most of the meetings and discussions with groups os

Our sincerest prayers and condolences to Norb's families. Coincidentally two weeks ago, we were visiting my sister in law in Watsonville I asked her if she had heard anything about Norbert. She hadn't. And yesterday she called me to tell me about his death. Norbert and I were appointed principal and vice principal respectively in March, 1975,in the midst of students and parents strive with the school. He included me in most of the meetings and discussions with groups os students and parents. We immediately bonded and for the next two years we were able to calm to the school community. I consider him as one of my mentors as I pursued my goal of becoming a principal. In 1977, I was hired as principal in the Salinas city elementary school district. For a few years we kept in touch with each other. I appreciate the friendship and bond between the two of us. Jan, we still have the ceramic Santa we bought from you at one of the holiday craft fairs at the fairgrounds. Our prayers are with you and family.