By EMMA QUASNY
This is the first year the Westfield Education Foundation (WEF) awarded the Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) staff with the Rock Strong Award, which recognizes staff members, maintenance and before- and after-school care departments that exemplify the foundation’s “Rock Strong” motto.
“Rock Strong” has been WEF’s inspirational motto for the past school year as the district schools came out of the pandemic. Ashley Knott, WEF executive director and the coordinator for family and community engagement for the district, said “Rock Strong” signifies that they are stronger when they work together.
“As our entire school district works together, both our administration team, our staff, our students, our families, and our community … when we all come together, we are stronger and able to meet the needs of our students and our families and our communities both academically, socially … in the classroom and for their futures,” Knott said.
Award nominations come from staff, families and local community members who are able to share anything about a staff member who is connected with their student, family or school.
WWS Superintendent Dr. Paul Kaiser said this nomination and award process is a way to highlight the hard work of district staff.
“I think [the staff] took a great deal in pride of receiving these awards,” Kaiser said. “We are just proud of all the people that work so hard and try to meet the needs of our kids and our community and appreciate their dedication.”
There are 11 categories and schools where staff can be nominated, and recipients are awarded each quarter of the school year. Knott says she is hopeful the district will continue offering this award going forward.
“[The award] was very well received by both the staff members who receive the award and the [school] board meeting by those attending,” Knott said.
The next Rock Strong Awards will be presented on May 10. For more information about the Rock Strong Awards, reach out to knotta@wws.k12.in.us.
Below is a list of Rock Strong Award recipients for this quarter:
- Sue Sprunk (Carey Ridge Elementary Schools)
- Laura Melling (Maple Glen Elementary Schools)
- Anne Petersen (Monon Trail Elementary School)
- Jennifer Paul (Oak Trace Elementary School)
- Tara-Lynn Sinicki (Shamrock Springs Elementary School)
- Diana Anderson (Washington Woods Elementary Schools)
- Emily Price (Westfield Intermediate School)
- Carol Cockerham (Westfield Middle School)
- Tavio Henson (Westfield High School)
- Michelle Walker (BAC/TOTs)
- Tim Sturgeon (Operations & Facilities)