Broward schools to recognize mentors, volunteers

Broward County Public Schools will honor outstanding school volunteers, mentors and business partners at its Community Involvement Awards, Wednesday, April 28, 2010.  The recognition ceremony will spotlight members of the community that have dedicated time and effort to expanding educational opportunities for students. The awards program will be held at the Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, from 9 – 11:30 a.m.

This year’s Volunteer of the Year Award Winners include:

Adult:  Gloria Barron-Boatwright, Village Elementary School

Barron-Boatwright goes to her kindergarten class each morning and greets each student with a smile and begins the important work of academics.  She works with one struggling student after another, staying with him or her until they can write their name correctly, or understand a particular concept.  She is always there to do whatever needs to be done.

Student: Carolyn Pao, Cooper City High School Pao participates in many environmental projects and tutors students at Griffin Elementary School.  She brings awareness to students about tolerance and human rights, through her work with the Human Relations Council and Youth for Amnesty.  In her extra time, she helps teach mentally and physically challenged children and teens and has collected over 740 books to donate to daycare centers serving low-income families.

Senior: Sheila Schechtman, Broadview Elementary School Whether it is a doll from China or even a branch from a tree, Schechtman understands that hands-on items can help students better understand educational concepts.  An educator for more than 40 years, when she retired, she wanted to learn something brand new, so she asked to volunteer in an ESOL classroom.  Now, five years later, she is still helping students learn English and she ís even becoming fluent in their native languages.

Program Organizer: Denise Appleby Horland, Central Park Elementary School Over the past five years, Horland has accumulated over 3,000 volunteer hours. Nearly every day, she assists in a variety of activities that support student achievement and parent involvement.  She recruits and trains parent volunteers and provides them the kind of encouragement that keeps them coming back to run various programs. Horland believes in keeping parents in the loop, which she does through phone calls, networking and the PTA’s electronic newsletter.

In addition, 43 volunteer service lapel pins will be presented to volunteers who have contributed 200 or more hours of documented service each year for five years. Seven individuals will receive 10-year pins.  Receiving 15-year pins will be Rebecca Esposito (Coral Springs High School) and Elinor Adler (Flanagan High School).

Outstanding mentors to be recognized include:

Elementary Level – Sheila Browne, Mirror Lake Elementary School Browne has mentored at Mirror Lake for 12 years, and has been matched with six different students over that time.  She takes time to get to know her students’ social, emotional and academic needs.  She is the consummate role model, making sure that her demeanor and actions provide a good example.

Secondary Level – Natasha Hampton, Whispering Pines School In 2008, Hampton met with the staff at Whispering Pines to discuss a collaborative mentoring arrangement between the city of Miramar and the school.  Since the school serves students with special needs, the program has been a welcome addition to the school.  Not only does Hampton continue to mentor students, she also has recruited her colleagues to join her in making a difference in the lives of students.

Outstanding Mentor Program Award  – The Omega Psi Phi Fraternityís Lamp Lighters Program, Sunland Park Elementary School The Fraternity’s Lamp Lighters Program brings its members to the school to stimulate academic success through positive relationships with caring, professional Black men.  Under their guidance, male students learn the importance of being responsible, intelligent, committed and helpful.

Broward Estates Elementary School and Piper High School will be recognized for their parent involvement programs, “Dads Hearts Are Into Reading,” and “The Parent Resource Fair,” respectively.

Finally, outstanding school and District partnerships that support student achievement will be recognized.

Outstanding Business-Education Partnerships include Whispering Pines School with GAP of Aventura;  Lauderdale Manors Elementary School with Haliczer Pettis and Schwamm, Attorneys at Law; and Coconut Creek High School with VISTA, a Coventry Health Care Plan.  The Outstanding District Level Partnership is Florida Power and Light with the school systemís Energy Conservation and Utility Management Department.

More than 35,000 volunteers, business partners and mentors volunteer their time to support students and school activities throughout the school year. If you would like to get involved in this effort, please call (754) 321-1970 or visit (www.getinvolvedineducation.com).

Listed below are the businesses and organizations that sponsor the Community Involvement Awards.

Silver Level Sponsors

After School Programs, Inc.; BrightStar Credit Union; Rick Case Automotive Group; YMCA of Broward County

Copper Level Sponsors

Florida Marlins; Hinson Office Supply, Holy Cross Hospital; Keiser University

Related posts:

1. Broward schools name top principal, assistant principal
2. Volunteers Needed To Serve In Schools As Non-Medical Assistants During H1n1 Vaccination Process
3. 65 Broward schools getting free breakfasts for all students
4. Three Broward Schools win top national award
5. Broward schools sees small increase in students

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