2002 VIP Award Winners
March 05, 2008
2002 VIP Awards
All who contribute to their school’s Practical Parenting Partnerships efforts are special people. The following individuals have been selected by their peers as outstanding role models in their school communities. We are proud to honor the following PPP VIP’s.
Marcia MacCash, Wyman Elementary, Rolla Public Schools
Marcia is the creativity behind Wyman’s PPP Family Fun Nights. Her imagination has provided intriguing science activities, multicultural number games and creative reading activities. Marcia is a cheerleader among staff members, bringing fresh ideas to the drawing board. Marcia never misses a chance to promote upcoming events by wearing outfits depicting the night’s theme – cowboy hats, safety apparel, a “flags of all nations” vest, and the list goes on. It’s impossible to list all the qualities Marcia has brought to the Wyman PPP program. She is truly a valuable asset.
Rochelle Bland and Marilyn Schlueter, Van-Far Elementary, Van-Far R-I
Both ladies go the extra mile for Van-Far PPP. When something needs to be done, they are there to do it. They’ve helped with Book Fairs, gathered donations, stuffed eggs, decorated, cooked and even dressed up as witches at Halloween. Our organization could not run smoothly without the help of these two. All at Van-Far are proud of them and appreciative of the endless hours they donate to help involve parents at our school.
Libby Ray, Bolivar Primary School, Bolivar R-I
Libby has worked tirelessly to establish and maintain the PPP program at Bolivar Primary. She leads the Family Support Team, which meets to find solutions to problems as they arise. This could be anything from providing an alarm clock to arranging for a reading buddy. She organizes monthly homework rewards and class attendance incentives. She facilitated a school wide program to visit all 1st and 2nd graders before school began. She works closely with local businesses, involving them in school activities as a full-fledged partner. Her calm presence and positive attitude help everyone at Bolivar Primary feel like an important part of a successful team.
Irene Komer, Montrose Elementary, Montrose R-XIV
Irene initiated the PPP program by writing for and receiving grant funding for Montrose Elementary. She has mentored other teachers and staff members in ways to involve families. Irene’s enthusiasm and professionalism encourages families to take a more active role in their children’s education. Her leadership insures that the adventure of education at Montrose will continue to expand and grow.
Rose Hall, Houston Elementary and Middle School, Houston R-I
Rose Hall has been the spark energizing the PPP program to grow into an active, vital parental participation program. Her nurturing and enthusiasm has been contagious. Her many accomplishments include: coordinating evening PPP parent education events; increasing the Volunteering Program to over 60 participants; instituting a Character Education Program; initiating a daily “Parent Connection” radio spot: arranging PPP professional development for staff; publishing a monthly newspaper for parents; maintaining a parenting resource room; and making sure that PPP works seamlessly with the schools other programs. She has used her energy and talents to be a vital, positive asset to the Houston School district.
Angie Merritt, Willard South, Willard R-II
Angie has worked as the facilitator of the Family and Community Involvement Cadre. She works closely with the schools Family Liaison on all projects. Angie has volunteered on numerous occasions to help with family nights, parent breakfasts and any other project where help is needed. She has worked with the Outer Limits after school program, helping students be more successful in school. Angie brings hard work, dedication and determination to her role of helping parents stay involved in their child’s education.
Candy Perris, Kingston Elementary and Middle School, Kingston K-14
Candy has great ideas and because of her work over the years, there are many, many parents in the community willing to help. A tradition of involvement has developed. Parents have volunteered at Kingston for five or six years in a row. These parent volunteers cite Candy’s organizational and people skills as major reasons why they continue to help out year after year. Candy mentors teachers new to the district. She makes home visits. And she always has a kind word. Candy deserves to be recognized as a wonderful parent involvement coordinator.
Susan Heuer, Kingston Elementary, Kingston K-14
Along with being a terrific person, Susan plans evening activities for parents and students. The “My Heart Reads for You” was an example of one of Susan’s successful ideas. Nearly 300 parents, students, teachers and community members attended. Teachers read Eric Carle’s The Cricket and gave away crickets. At another station, the nurse helped children and adults listen to their own heartbeat. Thanks to Susan’s organization, everything ran smoothly. That’s how the Kingston PPP program works, thanks in large part to Susan’s dedication.
Connie Gooch, Vineland Elementary, DeSoto 73
Connie has taken on the leadership role of coordinating the Vineland Family Activity nights. She fully understands the importance of building partnerships with families. Connie has seen the positive impact of parent/school partnerships on kindergarten readiness scores. Connie makes sure that the transition of 4 year olds - and their parents -into the school setting is a smooth one. Connie makes sure the school’s pre-Kindergarten activities are developmentally appropriate for preschoolers. In fact, Connie has already been recognized by the Danforth Foundation Policy Makers Board for her contribution to the improvement in children’s school readiness.
We know that the enthusiasm and personal commitment of school administrators will often determine the willingness of both staff and families to build partnerships for student success. The PPP Center recognizes several school leaders who have bee strong advocates of PPP in their district and regionally:
Ida Casey, Office of Primary, Middle and High Schools, St. Louis City Public Schools
Ida Casey has shown dedication and perseverance in establishing PPP as an important emphasis in St. Louis City Schools. She has built a large contingency of trained staff who carry out parent involvement activities in individual school buildings. She organizes, trains and leads by example to inspire school personnel and parents to work as partners. She serves not only her district but also the PPP Center as a PPP trainer and Advisory Board Member. She has even organized a large contingency of families from St. Louis to attend this festival two years in a row! Lyle Sybert, Principal, Leland O. Mills Elementary, School of the Osage
Lyle Sybert has been the driving force for his school’s efforts in mobilizing parents to be strong supporters of their children’s education. Mr. Sybert has led his PPP team to plan many successful parent activities including home visits to families of children entering kindergarten. He also has used PPP resources to help parents learn more about the MAP and meeting state standards.
The Special PPP VIP awards are presented to individuals who have given their time and expertise to promote Practical Parenting Partnerships at the state and national level. This year’s recipients are...
Dee Beck, Ph.D., Coordinator of Federal Programs, DESE
Dee Beck has proven her dynamic leadership ability in seeing that PPP is included in federal initiatives. When state funding for PPP grants was cut, she found a way to continue some of those grants through federal funds. She has repeatedly stood up for parent involvement in her support of adult education and literacy programs, the link between early childhood efforts and the smooth transition to kindergarten, and Title I parent involvement enhancement. She has always been willing to give extra effort when needed, including lending a hand at the PPP Family Festival.
Jane Paine, Consultant, St. Louis
Jane Paine can be credited for having the original dream of a K-12 parent involvement initiative in Missouri to follow the success of Parents As Teachers. When she was a consultant with the Danforth Foundation in 1990, she negotiated a grant to DESE to begin the effort that grew into Practical Parenting Partnerships. She has tirelessly supported many initiatives for the welfare of children over the years; but she has been instrumental in Missouri’s leadership in the nation of parent involvement in education. Jane has served on the PPP Advisory Board for 12 years and she is always willing to give of her time and expertise in helping guide PPP.
Annette Robertson, PPP Trainer and PAT Parent Educator, Southeast Missouri
Annette Robertson is a true “foot soldier” for parent involvement in education. As a former teacher and as a parent educator and regional leader for PPP, Annette visits both schools and families on a regular basis. She goes the extra mile in attending local events, in accompanying parents to training and services. She is also a PPP state trainer who promotes PPP wherever she goes – and always gives special touches to our PPP meetings, like treats, candles, birdhouses and other surprises!
