29 Apr 2008
Recipients Honored at April School Board Meeting
DALLAS—The Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa honored the volunteers, partners and district staff who coordinate the Dallas ISD's Partners in Education program at its April 24 school board meeting.
"With the district's goal of becoming the best urban school district by 2010, it will take a concerted effort by the district along with citizens who are passionate about the success of our students," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "Their commitment to this task is priceless and we thank them very much," he said.
Each year the district recognizes outstanding citizens who have dedicated their time and resources that impact the success of its students.
The recipients are:
The outstanding School Partnership Coordinator Award was presented to Ms. Cheryl Van Volkinburg, Maria Moreno Elementary School. Cheryl has shown exceptional skill coordinating her school's partners and volunteers. Her efforts have resulted in the greatest percentage increase of any school volunteer program using the new online Partners in Education record keeping system. Documented areas of excellence include parental involvement, volunteer retention, and number of donors, sponsors and partners.
The 2008 Outstanding Elementary School Volunteer is Kathy Shockley whose tutoring and school beautification efforts at Harry C. Withers Elementary School have been credited with improved student academic achievement and behavior.
The 2008 Outstanding Secondary School Volunteer is Francisco Lopez, a volunteer at Harold Lang Middle School where he volunteers daily throughout the school starting most days at 6:30 a.m.
The district's 2008 Outstanding Partner in the organization category is a group of students in the Senior Class at Bishop Lynch High School. These seniors tutor in Math, Science, Reading, TAKS and ESL. They also serve as role models working to inspire and help prepare Robert T. Hill Middle School students to graduate college and workforce ready.
The 2008 Outstanding Business Partner is Neiman Marcus whose employees volunteer and support Herbert Marcus Elementary School. Neiman's volunteers tutor and provide financial support to stock the school's uniform closet and school supply room, and they fund scholarships to graduates upon completion of high school.
The 2008 Extra Mile Award was presented to the J.W. Bagley Foundation. Based in Freemont, CA, the foundation was created by Jim Bagley and his family to support organizations that help young people get a good education, especially those challenged by family and community circumstances. The foundation has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting multiple schools in a feeder pattern.
Since 2000, the foundation's support has grown from $4,000 donated to a few schools to as much as $8,500 donated to each of eight schools. The funds provide student and staff incentives and activities, often based on student suggestions of how to help make their school better. Accepting on behalf of the Bagley Family was Dallas ISD Southeast Learning Community Executive Director Shirley Ison-Newsome who was instrumental in initiating the partnership.
Texas State Senator Royce West earned the final award, the Superintendent's Award. Since his election in 1993, Senator West has been an active and vocal force in support of the Dallas ISD. His continuous financial support to local schools dates from 1990. He has encouraged the growth of Boy Scout troops across the southern sector and championed creation of a District 23 Student Advisory Committee to engage secondary students in volunteerism, leadership development and civic affairs.
His work as an advocate for state funding for youth serving programs has impacted every student in Dallas ISD. He encourages all students in his district to graduate and routinely sends congratulatory letters to every high school graduate in District 23.
Also, his innovative It's About Our Community project has provided more than 300 students with career counseling, job training and encouragement to pursue their desired careers. Absenteeism and
incidents reported for this target group have decreased dramatically in the four schools involved
His assistant, Ms. LaJuana Barton accepted the award for the senator who was in session with the Texas Committee on Higher Education.