The 2016 Topeka
Public Schools Friends of Education recipients were honored at the May 5th
Board of Education meeting. Thank you to the following honorees for all you do
for TPS students and staff:
School
Volunteer Category: Rev. Tony and Dr. Rita Stanley
Nominated by: Rebecca Morrisey, Principal of Eisenhower Middle School
Rev. Stanley
can frequently be found volunteering in the Eisenhower cafeteria, visiting with
students and assisting staff. As he makes his way through the lunch room, he
takes time to stop at each table to ensure he has made a connection with every
group of students. “His guidance has led to improved behavioral choices and
celebrations for success for many of Eisenhower’s students,” said Principal
Rebecca Morrisey. “He provides a positive male influence for students who may
not have a father figure in their lives.”
While
juggling the demands of a physician’s schedule, Dr. Stanley still makes time to
contribute to the Eisenhower Middle School community. She often provides
health-related activities that teach students how to make wise nutrition choices.
Working with the school’s cafeteria manager, Dr. Stanley applied for a grant to
fund a six-week after-school program. The grant was awarded and Kids in the
Kitchen kicked off, providing students with an opportunity to prepare and
sample new recipes.
The
Stanley’s They also work with their church group to provide an annual
Thanksgiving dinner for the neighborhood. Three years ago, when the dinner was
offered for the first time, over 300 community members were fed. The past two
years has seen that number balloon to over 800 dinner guests each year. The
Stanley’s have worked with Highland Park High School to provide student
entertainment for the event, allowing our high school students an opportunity
to perform for the public and stay connected to their former middle school
community.
Ongoing
Partnership Category: Young Life
Nominated by: Juli Watson, Assistant Principal of Highland Park High School and by Mike Haire, Principal of Jardine Middle School
Each day,
volunteers from Young Life visit Highland Park High School, joining students
for lunch, helping out with after school programs, and helping students reach
their academic and personal goals. The volunteers help students complete the
work necessary to graduate, support the students with struggles with their
families, and offer guidance to kids who may have gotten off track
academically.
Young Life
volunteers are eagerly welcomed by Highland Park students and staff, who look
forward to the mentorship the organization provides. Juli Watson, Assistant Principal
at HPHS, said, “They have not only helped multiple students to achieve their
goals, but they are creating student leaders in our building. Many students have gone on to become role
models who support each other and keep their peers on track. Young Life
volunteers believe in our students when our students feel hopeless, and they
help those students spread that support to others.”
Young Life
is also active in TPS middle schools, and visit them regularly. Lunchtime
bonding sessions happen each day at Jardine Middle school. Volunteers connect
with students, forming strong relationships and providing positive experiences
for the students. Through their work, they bring together diverse groups of
kids for activities during lunch and for activities outside of school.
When Young
Life volunteers sign up to spend time with our students, they don’t just agree to
have lunch with them, they really go above and beyond to provide fun activities
that establish a strong bond between mentor and mentee. For example, Young Life
holds before-school activities twice a month, plays basketball with the kids,
takes them to concerts, restaurants and parks, and many other activities.
Jardine Middle School Principal Mike Haire notes that, “These positive
relationships change lives and impact academic, social, emotional and
behavioral needs within our schools. Young Life volunteers are pouring their
hearts into the students of Jardine.”
Community/Civic Organization Category: Oakland United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church
Nominated by: Sarah Sharp, Principal of State Street Elementary
Each week, church
volunteers spend time at State Street, listening to children read and helping
them with their studies. However, much of their volunteer work takes place
before and after school. They supervise students before school on Late Start
Fridays, have held a summer dance camp, organized and hosted a Trunk or Treat
event, and planned activities and worked at a summer book swap.
The church
volunteers’ generosity doesn’t end there, however. They have also operated
State Street Elementary’s after school theater program for over ten years, in
addition to building props and making costumes for the students’ productions.
Oakland United
Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church also provide many items to
the school’s students and teachers. They donate hats and mittens to the school
nurse for distribution among the students. They purchased new tennis shoes for
all the girls participating in the Girls on the Run program, at a cost of over
$1,000. Additionally, the churches funded a field trip that allowed 5th graders
in the after-school club to attend Kansas State University’s Open House.
Their generosity
toward State Street Elementary isn’t limited to students, however. The churches
also show their support for the school’s staff members by providing cookie
trays at the beginning of each new school year. They donate gift cards to all
certified staff each August, as well.
