2000 VIP Award Winners
By Vickie Dickneite
March 05, 2008
2000 VIP Awards
All who contribute to their school's Practical Parenting Partnerships efforts are special people. A few individuals have been selected by their peers as outstanding role models for others in their school communities. We are proud to honor the following PPP V.I.P.'s:
Carolyn Clark - Lincoln Elementary School, Normandy School District
According to Principal Bobby Shields, Mrs. Clark holds one of the most important jobs that an employee can be involved in at Lincoln Elementary School. He says, "I have been very pleased with the work that Mrs. Clark has done as the Parent Liaison. She is commended for the third year in a row for taking the initiative to call and consistently communicate with the parents of Lincoln. Mrs. Clark has been instrumental in developing and carrying out various community projects. She has also shared her expertise in communication skills through workshops that deal with parental involvement and improvement. Mrs. Clark is a highly respected, dedicated employee and a definite asset to both the community and Lincoln Elementary School."
Shonda Curtois - Athena Elementary, DeSoto 73 Schools
When parent participation in PPP activities was low and the program seemed to be floundering, Shonda Curtois took the reins and breathed new life into the school. For example, monthly PPP Library Nights have been publicized in the school and area preschools. Participation in PPP has grown tremendously due to Shonda's love of children, organizational skills and commitment.
Julie Martin - J. E. Freer Elementary, Windsor C-1
Ms. Martin has been a part of Freer's PPP program since it began. She has always helped in any way she can. She attends all the events, helps with the distribution of the flyers (an endless job!), helps coordinate donations, and listens to all concerns and questions. Even though she is not an "official" PPP Facilitator, she definitely wears the Facilitator's hat.
Candy Perris - Cruise Elementary, Kingston K-14
Candy works hard at getting parent involvement in the school. She is now organizing a spring fun festival day for K-12. She has also helped with a reading and computer night at school. She passes out handouts from the PPP notebooks for any activity they have at school. She has started a preschool lending library of books and toys, and it is a big success. The second grade teachers say they have their own secretary because Candy seems to be able to do anything! One of her peers said, "She is the heart of our school. She deserves any award out there for doing a wonderful job with a respectful and professional attitude." Ms. Perris was also nominated last year for this award.
Paulette Pratt - Cruise Elementary, Kingston K-14
Ms. Pratt is a very positive role model for other parents. She has the ability to make parents feel welcome and valuable and works to bring about change in positive ways. As a PPP Coordinator, she is very professional and friendly. One of her peers said, "she has been our angel for the last five years. Ms. Paulette began our Volunteer Program then and it has evolved beyond our wildest dreams. Our group has logged hundreds of hours every year, working with teachers, children, and the school district." Another individual stated, "we are very proud of all the work she has done to get parents involved in their children's school lives."
Dauna Rankin - William McKinley Elementary, Normandy Schools
Ms. Dauna Rankin is a real people person who works hard at her job as Parent-Liaison. She knows all the parents and students by name. She has a winning smile and always makes everyone feel welcome and a part of the William McKinley Family. She is talented and helpful and has filled in for the PTO officers.
Judy Saurage - Vineland Elementary, DeSoto 73 Schools
Judy Saurage has been the driving force in bringing PPP to Vineland Elementary. Her commitment to families and children has resulted in the development and growth of the program. She advocated for PPP and worked with staff and parents to implement PPP for kindergarten families in the 1997-98 school year. Since then, Judy has recruited the support of parents and staff pre-k through grade 6. As a result of her hard work, persistence and dedication, Vineland who has PPP for families with children in all grade levels and attendance continues to grow monthly.
Nicole Scott - Early Childhood Center, Normandy Schools
Nicole is a charismatic individual with high educational expectations. She values education and models her support by volunteering during Practical Parenting workshops. She extends her services as a kindergarten reading tutor, Parent Lending Librarian, a member of the district level Parent Advisory Council, Parent Artist, and Co-Treasurer of the Normandy Early Childhood Center's PTO. Others at the center have heard her make personal invitations that have encouraged other parents to embrace ideas of PPP. Nicole says, "Through many Practical Parenting participation hours I learned to respect and believe that every parent must be a part of their child's early education." Nicole Scott's colleagues stated, "Nicole is truly a Practical Parenting Partnerships leader. She shares her knowledge, artistic talents, and creative energy with everyone."
Shirley Washington - Indian Creek Elementary School, Center School District
Principal Don Barta gives the following testimonial. "Mrs. Washington is an excellent colleague, team worker, teacher, counselor, leader, and innovator. She is always looking for new ways to teach and reteach necessary skills needed by her students. In addition, she is a faculty leader. One of her major strengths is getting parents involved in our school. As Coordinator of our PPP program, the parent involvement has increased so that every PPP or school activity has good parent participation. I contribute the increased participation directly to Shirley's inviting way, making the school more user friendly, and the incorporation of the information from PPP and PPP training. Even though our funding will end this year, PPP will continue under her tutelage. I strongly believe that our school climate has changed because of Shirley Washington and her implementation of PPP. The improved school climate, in my opinion, has enhanced learning and student achievement. A direct result of her efforts has Indian Creek student achievement as measured on the MAP leading all of the elementary schools in the Center School District. Finally, if PPP ever needs someone to share the positive impact PPP has on a school, consider Mrs. Washington as a resource speaker."
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 been strong advocates of PPP in their district and regionally.
Tom Bewick - Principal, Pleasant Valley Elementary School, Carthage R-IX Schools
Tom Bewick has been a leader in his school, continually supporting the work of PPP. He has made it possible for several people to be added to the PPP team each year. As a role model for his staff and PPP team and as someone other principals may wish to emulate, Tom has repeated participation in implementation training to show commitment to the new team members. He has also been a presence at the PPP Family Festival, assuring that his school is well represented.
Laura Borman - Director of Curriculum, Windsor C-1 School District
Laura Borman began her relationship with PPP while serving as an administrator at Windsor Elementary. She has been a strong supporter of parent involvement and has been personally involved in a number of activities, including leading assessment workshops for parents at all the district schools, because she felt that parents need information to support their children's ability to achieve. She has also been a great worker in Crazy Bowl at Family Festival over the past several years!
Jane Morgan - Title I Coordinator, St. Joseph School District
Jane Morgan is a district administrator who has taken the concepts of PPP to lead all the Title I schools in the district to plan parent/school activities together. The parents have become leaders in their schools and have taken responsibility for many projects that encourage all families to participate in the life of the school. She is an energetic advocate of PPP, serving as a PPP Support Team Member in the Northwest region and sharing her experiences with other school districts in workshops and speaking engagements.
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. The year 2000 recipients are two outstanding leaders.
Kathryn Nelson - Consultant, St. Louis
Kathryn Nelson has been an advocate for children and families for many years. A woman of boundless wisdom and commitment, Kathryn was instrumental in the beginning of PPP as she promoted the concept with the Danforth Foundation. She was a Program Director with the foundation at that time. As an original member of the PPP Advisory Board, Kathryn Nelson has often kept board members spellbound during the board's discussions-her depth of perception is unsurpassed. She lives the life she talks about, the proud grandparent and caretaker of several generations of children. Katherine Nelson is a very busy woman who has shared her expertise in the growth of many organizations, including PAT and the current St. Louis 2004 project.
Sue Treffeisen - Research Associate, RTA, Inc., Overland Park, KS
Sue Treffeisen has been a force in the development of PPP over the years, including serving on the PPP Advisory Board since its beginning. Not only has she helped to design the continuing evaluation study of PPP but she has also been a leader in PPP workshops at the state level. Sue has been serving as PPP's representative on the St. Louis School to Work project team, and has worked with the PPP Center on a project with the Federal Programs section of the MO Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. Her expertise as the first training coordinator for Parents As Teachers and her evaluation fieldwork in BIA parent programs and Even Start is considered invaluable in the planning of PPP.
