2009 Meritorious Service Awards
The outstanding contributions of Central Valley School District employees and community members are recognized each year by the Board of Directors though the Meritorious Service Awards. Initiated by the School Board in 1985, the awards honor exemplary contributions by individuals and organizations toward student achievement and our district’s primary focus – learning and teaching.
All of the nominees for Meritorious Service Awards were recognized at special celebrations at each Central Valley School District building. The Board will announce and present district-wide Meritorious Service Awards in each of the four categories on Monday, March 23. The recipients were selected among the 67 individuals and 18 teams with more than 100 members nominated this year by colleagues, students and peers.
2009 Meritorious Service Award Recipients
Certificated Employee - PJ Jarvis, Greenacres Elementary
Colleagues marvel at the dedication, passion and flexibility PJ Jarvis brings to her job as health and fitness instructor. She inspires students and the adults around her with fun and innovative projects to encourage healthy bodies and lifestyles. She is known for transforming the gym into an obstacle course modeled after blood flow through the heart and hosting a popular after school “Fit for Bloomsday” program.
Certificated Employee - Laurie Spence, Opportunity Elementary
Literary coach and teacher Laurie Spence never hesitates to help students, parents, teachers and colleagues. They turn to her for her teaching advice, curriculum knowledge and warm hugs. One colleague says of her, “She possesses that rare combination of competence and humility that endears her to others. People like to work with her because of her ability to bring out the best in others.”
Classified Employee - John Khoury, North Pines Middle School
Head custodian John Khoury has earned the respect and admiration of co-workers with his friendly smile, incredible work ethic and positive attitude. He is always looking for ways to help others. Among the stack of nominations for Khoury, one colleague wrote: “I have never seen someone take such pride in their job.”
Community Member/Organization - Todd Ballensky, Progress Elementary
Todd Ballensky is the “Top Dog” for the Watch D.O.G.S. program. Ballensky started the group, which encourages fathers to volunteer, and under his watch it has grown to include 50-plus members. He is always trying to improve the school and often volunteers his time for such activities as the recent district levy campaign, organizing a food drive, and collecting holiday gifts for families.
Community Member/Organization - Josh Allison/Horizon Credit Union, North Pines Middle School
What started as a sponsorship for a five-week junior achievement class, has become a full-time partnership. Horizon Credit Union sponsors student and teacher recognition programs, food drives and has donated digital cameras to art classes and worked with teachers to bring real-world math to students. Horizon employee Josh Allison has become an integral part of the school, meeting monthly with the principal to talk about ways to collaborate, attending assemblies and being a visible face at the school.
Team - School to Life Program, Barker High School and Learning Center
The School to Life Program serves special needs high school students with programs to teach transitional skills such as money management, shopping, cooking, filling out job applications and creating resumes. Teachers Kathy Thorson and Steve Rasmussen, along with seven paraeducators were honored for their dedication to students and collaborative work in the community. Rasmussen leads the onsite Cottage Industry program which teaches students business skills, while Thorson coordinates opportunities for students at local businesses and agencies.
2009 Nominees
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Adams Elementary
Jan McFarland, Certificated Employee
Inge McGillivrae, Certificated Employee
Adams PTSA Executive Board, Community Member/Organization (Lisa Chan, Melissa Grytdal, Tami Kamp, Shannon Lambert and Suzy Orth)
Broadway Elementary
Sue Watilo, Classified Employee
Leisa Mumford, Certificated Employee
Homework Club Teachers, Team (Jamie Kaiser, Tereza Call and Laurie Parr)
Chester Elementary
Marguerite Elder, Certificated Employee
Beth Harper, Classified Employee
Heidi Joppa, Community Member/Organization, Parent Volunteer
Greenacres Elementary
Alpha & Omega Secretarial Team, Team (Sue Jones and Diane Kellar)
Special Education Team (Linda Jackson, Junei Michelbook, Renee Murphy and Jan Parker)
Wendy Bucknell, Certificated Employee
PJ Jarvis, Certificated Employee
Kevin Middaugh, Community Member/Organization, Parent Volunteer
Liberty Lake Elementary
Char Burrill, Classified Employee
Jeff Rachoy, Certificated Employee
Emily Schreiner, Certificated Employee
Elizabeth Mallinen, Community Member/Organization, PTSA Representative/Parent Volunteer
Supervisory/Crossing Guard Team (Julie Baggarley, Paula Barth, Cathy Franks, Theresa Hanaway, Hope Harper, Katie Hemenway, Kristen Keller, Leanna Kennedy, Patty Sarner, Carol Schelley, Lori Thaler and Michelle Walker)
McDonald Elementary
Catheleen Schlotter, Certificated Employee
Todd Wilson, Certificated Employee
Sharon Talarico, Classified Employee
Mary Bauman, Certificated Employee
Andrea Benson, Community Member/Organization, Parent Volunteer
Linda Prothero, Community Member/Organization, Volunteer
Student Study Team, Team (Mary Bauman, Bridget Hocutt, Emelie Pospisil and Catheleen Schlotter)
Behavior Intervention Staff, Team (Todd Wilson, Rusty Lee, Kelly Anderson, Casey Fry and Debbie Potts)
Opportunity Elementary
Laurie Spence, Certificated Employee
Custodial Team, Team (Marcie Rockstrom and Travis Graham)
Ponderosa Elementary
Sharon Olson, Certificated Employee
Bill Bronsch, Classified Employee
MJ Bolt, Community Member/Organization, PTSA President
Progress Elementary
Wanda Lewis, Certificated Employee
Stephanie Morkert, Certificated Employee
Ginny Racine, Certificated Employee
Todd Ballensky, Community Member/Organization, Parent/Watch DOGS Leader
South Pines Elementary
Don Shenk, Classified Employee
Angela Townsend, Classified Employee
Rose Wilson, Certificated Employee
South Pines Team, Team (Principal Walt Clemons, Coach/Facilitator Katy Neal, Resource Room Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Specialists, Title 1 Teacher and Support Staff, Kindergarten Team, 1st Grade Team, 2nd Grade Team, 3rd Grade Team, 4th Grade Team, 5th Grade Team)
Sunrise Elementary
Supervisory Team, Team (Chris Manos, Carol Schuchart, Jonni King, Debbie Carter, Jenni Voelker, Patti Howard, Becky Riordan, Priscilla Marlow, Sandy Gass, Cindy Courtney, Heidi Guy, Carol Lemley Reyes, Ellen Cutler, Lynne Giusti and Kay Frank)
University Elementary
Eunie Hubble, Certificated Employee
Harvey O'Conner, Classified Employee
Melissa North, Community Member/Organization, Parent Volunteer
4th Grade Team, Team (Larry Beck, Rose Hone and Linda Reineke)
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Bowdish Middle School
Trudy Byus, Classified Employee
Rod Gudgel, Classified Employee
Lori Olson, Classified Employee
Ann Warner, Certificated Employee
Evergreen Middle School
Ellen Ruscio, Classified Employee
Charlie Cox, Certificated Employee
Mike Ruscio, Certificated Employee
Administrative Team, Team (Principal David Feldhusen and Vice-Principal John Parker)
7th Grade Language Arts Team, Team (Sam Busse, Kim Trent, Allen Kohler and Monica Larson)
Greenacres Middle School
Cherie Holm, Certificated Employee
Lisa Marsh, Certificated Employee
Vickie Mularski, Classified Employee
Custodial Staff, Team (Rick Keays, James Holloway, Greg Nicosia and Mike Bak)
Horizon Middle School
Kandee Sabo, Community Member/Organization, Co-President, Horizon Middle School Parent Teacher Association
North Pines Middle School
Josh Allison, Community Member/Organization, Horizon Credit Union
Vicki Arnold, Certificated Employee
John Khoury, Classified Employee
Kim Koch, Classified Employee
HIGH SCHOOLS
Central Valley High School
Jason Allen, Certificated Employee
Steve Bernard, Certificated Employee
David VanVlaenderen, Classified Employee
Central Valley High School, Team, All Certificated and Classified Staff
University High School
Dr. Roger Lent, Community Member/Organization, Community Volunteer
University High School Counseling Team (Jenny Bryant, Marilyn Burkhart, Paul Marshall, Pat Shelley, Kathy Steblaj)
NON-TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS
Barker High School and Learning Center
School to Life Team, Team (Greta Boyer, Kris Kilduff, Lisa Mertins, Pam Moser, Steve Rasmussen, Sally Sale, Kathy Thorson, Carolyn Timms and Elizabeth Wilson)
CV Kindergarten Center
Bev Burkhalter, Classified Employee
Integrated Kindergarten Team, Team (Megan Hawley, Kim Martins, Debbie Crow, Dianne McDermott, Brenda Vandouris, Kay LaPlante, Randi Love, Lisa Marsh, Cheri Johnson and Kathleen Kellen)
Early Learning Center
Nita Wallis, Classified Employee
Learning and Teaching Center
Sandee Allen, Certificated Employee
Georgina Lynch, Certificated Employee
MJ Bolt, Community/Organization, Co-Chair, Central Valley Citizens for Education
Lise Louer, Team, Community/Organization, Co-Chair, Central Valley Citizens for Education
Summit School
Sarah Ellis, Certificated Employee
Janet McDonald, Certificated Employee
George Moon, Certificated Employee
Dawn Hill, Community Member/Organization, Parent Volunteer
Summit Supervisors, Team (Gail Dickson, Jim Nelson, Sandra McCune, Christina Jeromchek, Cheryl Hepkema, Mike Claggett and Rebecca Joyce)
Spokane Valley Learning Academy
SVLA Staff, Team (Shelly Mackie, Erika Addington, Susan Peavey and Leslie Huff)
View listings of Meritorious Service Award honorees and nominees from past years:
For more information, contact the Public Information Office at (509) 228-5405
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