Background Information about Each Nominee Group A: The "Dedicated to Children, Hard-Workers" Sheila Besource: A resource teacher at Hamlet Elementary, Sheila was nominated three times. The nominators cited her ability to follow through to get things done, her ability to communicate with parents and "talk to people on many different levels", and her dedication to students. Sheila is a member of multiple committees at Hamlet, one of which is the "Site Council", a group made up of parents, teachers, and administrators. Becky Longtime: A long-time teacher at Hamlet, who has taught grades K-4, and is currently a special reading teacher. Before coming to Hamlet, Becky worked as an elementary principal, thus she has administrative experience. Becky was nominated once. Lisa Twelveyear: A 12 year veteran 5/6 teacher, Lisa has the reputation as the most active, willing to do anything for anybody teacher on the staff. Lisa is tireless. She organizes fund-raisers in order to allow her classes to do special activities. If you ask her a simple question, sheÕll often go ahead and completely finish whatever task youÕre working on (in a very generous way). Nominated once. Jessica Fouryear: A four year classroom teacher at Hamlet, Jessica was nominated once for her "ability to communicate with parents, open-mindedness, and being a hard-worker". Jill Sevenyear: A seven year first/second grade teacher at Hamlet, Jill was nominated once for her "strong relationships with parents, creativity, and experience working on many school projects". Curtis Parent: Curtis is a parent of two children at Hamlet. He works third shift at a factory, and thus is available during daytime hours (though some might prefer to sleep at some point in their life). Curtis is the Cub Scout leader at Hamlet. He is also a town resident. Nominated once. Mary President: Mary is currently the president of the P.T.O. at Hamlet. She is the mother of two Hamlet students. Mary is also employed part-time by the Hamlet Learning Center (a grant funded program that provides many after school/summer tutoring/enrichment activities). Mary lives in the Regency trailer court, and is thus a connection to the many families which live there. Nominated once. Group B: The School to Community "Liaisons, Resource Finders/Allocaters" Kris Director: Kris is the director of the Hamlet Learning Center, a grant funded program that began 2 years ago. In this short time, the Learning Center has served truly almost every students in the building via after school/summer tutoring or enrichment programs. The grant brought significant dollars into the school, and Kris has wide ranging flexibility to use the funds as she sees fit. She has purchased many items that are shared between her program and the school in general. For example, the grant purchased a full-sized van used for transportation to and from clubs, and the van can be used by the school during the day. She is frequently approached by teachers wishing to purchase something, start a program,... Kris was nominated three times. Jessie Newdirector: Jessie is the director of the Hamlet Family Resource Center, which is another grant-funded program. This program specializes in offering services and materials to the families of Hamlet Elementary. Jessie was new to the position last year, but immediately made an impact in the community. She was nominated once in round one of calling, and two more times in the second round. Nominators cited her ability to communicate with parents, connections to community resources/agencies, and caring spirit. Joan Nominee: Nominated once, by Kris Director, Joan is the LCSD "At-Risk Coordinator". She supervises the Learning Center grant program, and is regarded as having a firm knowledge of community resources and agencies available to help children and families. Lou Grant: Nominated once, also by Kris Director, Lou is a grant writer who has vast experience securing funds for various projects. In addition to his experience with grant acquisition, Lou is a parent of children in the LCSD, and a member of the district parent organization. Group C: The "Ball Association" Parents Teresa Cone These four women were each nominated one time. Each has children at Hamlet Elementary, and at least one of all of their children is a boy that participates in the Hamlet Ball Association (little league baseball). The twice-a-week in the summer baseball games, played at the park right in the middle of town, represent major social gatherings in Hamlet. Many students participate in the games, thus many parents are present. In addition to watching their lilÕ sluggers, the events area forum for discussing issues and events of interest and concern. Much of the talk revolves around school occurrences. In addition to being prominent presences at the Ball Association game nights, these four women have all been members of school organizations such as P.T.O and Site Council. Donna Ceefour brings out another dimension, as her extended family owns a major business in town, "CeefourÕs" (a feed/grain business). This indicates a tie to vast financial resources. Group D: Retired Residents with a Commitment to Children (otherwise know as, "The Sweet Little Old Ladies") One knowledgeable, Sandy Sweelo (Hamlet Elementary secretary for 20-some years), nominated the following three women who she affectionately referred to as "sweet little old ladies": Judy Deetwo All three of these women are residents of Hamlet, and all three, at some point in their lives, worked as associates or media secretaries at Hamlet Elementary. Joni currently has grandchildren at Hamlet. Sandy Sweelo nominated them due to their knowledge of the community, desire to help children, and their former employment connection to Hamlet. Group E: Official Positions of Authority in the Community Carol Eone: Nominated once in round one, and again in round two, Carol is the Director of Community Relations at Hamlet Bank and Trust, a major bank in the Leonine Area, based in Hamlet. Carol has two children that have gone through Hamlet Elementary, and she was a very active parent at that time, serving on the P.T.O. and Site Council. Carol was instrumental in beginning the Hamlet Care for Kids program (the before and after school program). Carol still volunteers in the school as a "Rock-n-Reader". Kathy Etwo: Nominated once in round one, and twice more in round 2, Kathy is the mayor of Hamlet, and a parent of former Hamlet students. In the words of one of her nominators, she can, "talk the town council into anything". Tim Ethree: Nominated once, Tim serves on the Hamlet town council, and is a parent of Hamlet students. He is also a teacher at another LCSD school. TimÕs wife, Diane, was mentioned in the "Ball Association" group, of which he is certainly involved with as well. Group F: Regency and Lakeridge Trailer Courts Many of the people interviewed indicated that they felt it would be important to include a member from one of the two large trailer courts that attend Hamlet Elementary; Regency and Lakeridge. Only one interviewee, however, was able to come up with a specific name. This indicates that the Hamlet informal power structure is aware of its presence and significance, but that the trailer courts lack a leadership voice. Group G: "The Hub" John Hub: Nominated by everyone in both rounds except his own secretary (perhaps telling about who really does all the work—just kidding), was John Hub, principal of Hamlet Elementary for past 20 years. Everyone mentioned his experience, connections to the community, knowledge of families and procedures, administrative style (discussed specifically in narrative), and caring for children. |