Volunteers Recognized by Grosse Pointe Schools

Grosse Pointe Public Schools Board of Education recently recognized 11 people who volunteer and help in the classroom and beyond, naming them the 2013 Distinguished Volunteers. 

The individuals each earned a golden apple along with a certificate to recognize their efforts. They were announced during a school board meeting and each posed for a picture with district superintendent Tom Harwood. 

The following is the information shared about each volunteer: 

Kathleen Abke established the Mason Facebook page which is a wonderful, positive communication tool for our parent community. She has also served as a room parent, field trip chaperone, classroom volunteer, PTO School Boar Liaison, PTO Vice President, chair of the Spring Fest for two years, and chaired and played an active role in the Mason Pumpkinfest, Santa Breakfast, Walk-a-thon, SERVE Spirit of Giving, and fundraisers ranging from Sally Foster to the Entertainment book. In addition to her school responsibilities she has helped her husband Paul in supporting Boy Scouts as a den mother. Kathleen Abke was nominated by the Mason staff and its principal Dr. Elaine Middlekauff who said, “Kathy embodies all the qualities that we want to honor in our volunteers: dedication, cooperation, organization, enthusiasm, and most importantly, leadership for the benefit of others.”

Michelle Agosta has initiated multiple programs such as the “Welcome to Maire” sign program for new students. She also chaired the committee for the new playground in conjunction with the relocation of the Maire parking lot, where she now helps direct traffic. The playground was a huge undertaking that involved the coordination of hundreds of volunteers. Most recently, she chaired Maire’s 75^th birthday celebration focusing on the historical research she then shared with alumni, at the all school assembly, and through the slide show and beautiful posters that now adorn Maire’s halls. In addition she has volunteered as a room parent, served hot cocoa to safeties, helped with fourth and fifth grade choir practice, driven to field trips, and served on the PTO Board as the Ways and Means chair and the Special Events chair. The number of events she’s worked on are “endless” and range from the Ice Cream Social to Maire Fair, from the Daddy Daughter Dance to Movie Night. Michelle Agosta was nominated by Glen Hipple, George Flora, the rest of the Maire staff, and Principal Sonja Franchett. They said, “When you walk into Maire, whether it is obvious or not, you are probably seeing, participating in, or experiencing something Michele has been a part of! Michelle’s commitment to Maire is immeasurable.”

Lynn Galbenski has planned and coordinated all of the Parcells Middle School fun nights and dances since becoming a Parcells parent. Then she goes above and beyond to make sure each student has a great time at our school events. She has coordinated the 6^th Grade Welcome party, student fun nights, and 8^th grade parties. She is innovative in finding ways to support student activities, she maintains active databases, and proactively expands and supports programs and parent involvement at Parcells. Her tireless work has engaged both parents and students in PTO sponsored activities, raising the participation level for both groups as together we form One Parcells. Lynn Galbenski was nominated by Sheryl Hogan and Principal Cathryn Armstrong.

Sue Glover--On Earth Day, it is truly fitting that we recognize Sue Glover who is the heart and soul of the Defer Green School Program. She accepted the challenge to spearhead Defer’s efforts to become and maintain it’s Michigan Green School Status. She works with staff and administration to achieve environmental goals which include protecting the air, land, water and animals of our state. She has helped the school community develop sound ecological practices such as a lunch recycling program run by the Green Squad club. She has also organized activities around Earth Day such as an environmental assembly, Earth Day Pick-Up, and decorating Kroger bags for customer use with earth-friendly themes. Student-built bird houses, and a new flower garden with native Michigan plants are also testaments to her involvement. In addition to her Green efforts, she has also chaired the year-end party, the Defer Ice Cream Social. This is no small undertaking and involves planning not only food, games, a boune house and DJ, but the volunteer efforts of dozens of parents, Pierce National Junior Honor Society, and South National Honor Society students, bringing the whole community together to give Defer a fantastic event year after year. Sue Glover was nominated by Michelle Kramer and Principal Karen Sulliva

Tom and Michelle Jenny--Mr. Jenny served as Poupard Elementary’s PTO President from 2010-2012. During his tenure he was in charge of many PTO activities, but one of the most important that he initiated was the Dad’s Club. He wanted to create an environment which welcomed and encouraged Dads to come in and make a difference in their child’s school. And they have -- from flipping pancakes at Pancake suppers, to running the all school Chili Cook-off, to installing the rock wall all the students enjoy, Poupard dads are demonstrating leadership and civic involvement.

Micki Jenny has always been an involved mom -- a regular room parent, fundarising chair, and actively involved in the PTO, she was most recently a driving force in advocating for a Head Start program inside Poupard. She shared her first-hand knowledge of the program their youngest child benefited from, with many groups at school, district, and board of education meetings.

Together, Tom and Micki were also leaders in the Poupard playground build that occurred in the summer of 2010 but took several years of planning and preparation. They were nominated by Deb Kraft, Suzanne Jabara and Pricnipal Penny Stocks who described them like this: “As a team, they have made a huge impact on our school environment and on the parent involvement in our building. They are constantly welcoming our new families with open arms and truly showing them that being an involved parent is important, fun and meaningful!”

Cherylynn Pelegrino has been a mainstay in supporting an array of Pierce Middle School activities and day to day operations. She has been actively involved with the performing arts, providing backstage support, assisting with late night rehearsals, and even picking up dinner for the cast. For the past three years she has also been a volunteer in the Pierce clinic and always answers the call to sub when there are scheduling conflicts. Before Pierce, she was actively involved at Defer assisting teachers in classrooms and with lunchroom duties. She was nominated by Linda Lockwood and Principal Gary Buslepp who said, “ Mrs. Pelegrino has a positive attitude, always gets things done, and is willing to help no matter what the situation may be.”

Cat Ruffner has been an active volunteer at Maire, Defer, Poupard, Pierce Middle School, South High School, and for all 15 schools in the district through her service on the board of the Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education. Cat has initiated many new programs and services for GPPSS and has provided tremendous and unique support for existing programs. For example, she initiated a greeting card writing program with Pierce and Poupard through her charitable contribution of Avanti cards. Principal Stocks added, “We receive greeting cards on a regular basis and this has allowed our students, while practicing their writing skills, to send cards to nursing homes, soldiers, and other classrooms.”

Cat also initiated the Defer Progressive Dinner in 2001, her first year in the district. She shared her expertise with students in the South spring fashion show, and she initiated the GPFPE Climbing for Technology campaign with Dr. Russ Chavey, GPFPE volunteers, and classrooms throughout the district. C4T was a campaign within a campaign to raise funds for classroom technology while students learned about Mt. Kilimanjaro, geography, ecosystems, physical challenges and more through Dr. Chavey’s climb. This model has been successfully replicated with Cat’s help in the Hamtramck Public Schools where they raised $20,000 for extracurricular activities.

Cat is also chair of the GPFPE marketing committee and has served on the gala committee since 2010. Last year’s gala raised $60,000. Cat Ruffner was nominated by Jan Brengman, Christie Scoggin and Lisa Vreede, as well as Principals Sonja Franchett, Penny Stocks, and Karen Sullivan who said, “Cat approaches every situation with grace, energy and sincerity. She is a joy to work with and she truly cares about all of our children.”

Manijeh Salari is the grandmother of a second grader at Trombly Elementary. She moved here from Oklahoma to assist her family as her daughter completes her residency at Henry Ford Hospital and her son-in-law completes his residency in Chicago. When her granddaughter started kindergarten, she immediately started helping out and now all the children know “Miss Manijeh.” She volunteers in the classroom, cooks lunches for teachers, is on the playground during recess, and helps kindergarteners get on their snow gear after lunch. When the lunchroom monitor retired this year, Miss Manijeh stepped in as a volunteer. Manijeh doesn’t look at this as a job; it is a way to continue to give back to the community and children she loves. She treats all of the children as if they are her grandchildren, being both loving and firm. Manijeh Salari was nominated by Beth Newhart and Principal Walt Fitzpatrick.

Chris Scapini

Chris Scapini truly embodies the Norseman spirit. At North she has chaired acquisitions for the Senior All Night Party and the Fashion Show; chaired the junior class bake sale; volunteered for float sites for 2011, 2012, and 2013; and helped with t-shirt and bagel sales. Before becoming active at North, she served on the Parcells PTO board and Principal’s Roundtable, chairing the 6^th grade welcoming party for two years and all other parties for three years. At Ferry she ran the auction for two years, raising over $65,000 to finish the air conditioning project and purchase white boards, in addition to being a room mom, organizing the Santa shop, a pep rally and the back to school packages. She was nominated by Sue Austin and Principal Kate Murray who said, “Chris is kind, compassionate and dedicated to our schools. Her impact is felt at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. We are thankful for her commitment and dedication.”

Kathleen Terry is a community member. As her nominators said, “Students benefit greatly from the opportunity to interact with members of the community. Each helper has a diverse background and a unique set of strengths from which the students can learn and grow.” Miss Terry has distinguished herself with her volunteer service in Richard’s kindergarten classrooms. There she helps with organizing the leveled libraries in each classroom, works with students on developing letter sounds and identification, and helps students select appropriate books for their reading level. She also reinforces concepts for struggling learners and works with students on their handwriting skills. Miss Terry also organizes and supervises classroom parties, and even helps monitor the lunchroom and transition times. Kindergarten teacher Cheryl Briggs said, “She is a great asset to our kindergarten family. The kids ‘light up’ when they see her.” Kathleen Terry was nominated by Susan Tawile, Jackie Rabaut, Cheryl Briggs and Principal Mary MacDonald-Barrett.