PLAINFIELD – District 202's CAPE parent group recognized outstanding parents, community members, teachers and staff members for their dedication to students, their schools and community at the 39th annual CAPE awards night on March 4 at Plainfield South High School.
CAPE is District 202's committee for the Coordination of Administration and Parent groups for Educational efficiency. It serves as a "bridge" between district leadership and the parent groups for all 30 District 202 schools.
The group presented its "Lifetime Award" to parent and longtime school and community volunteer Anthony Scala.
Scala has served as president of the Aux Sable Middle School PTA; president and vice president of CAPE; volunteering for the PSHS Boosters; and helping to organize the Watch D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Students) program at several District 202 schools.
Scala is also the founder of the Mr. Charity organization which provides toys and a holiday lunch each year to needy children and their families.
CAPE presented its "2015 Honored Guest Award" to Dee Graves, district assistant director of student services for Transition and Outside Placements.
Graves started work in District 202 as a student teacher. She has also served as a special education resource teacher and vocational coordinator. She currently oversees the high school vocational coordinators, P-STEP and Work Transition Program.
She has also served on numerous committees including the Transition Planning Committee of Will County, which works to link students with disabilities with adult services.
Graves has also worked with the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and helped families with special needs students transitioning to life beyond their school careers.
Finally, CAPE presented its 2015 CAPE Award to Lisa Klaas, Plainfield High School - Central Campus Division Chair for Physical Education, Health and Drivers Education.
Klaas has worked in District 202 for 33 years and is retiring this year. She started her career at Indian Trail Middle School where she coached volleyball.
She later moved to (then) Plainfield High School and coached there as well. Klaas was in the school with her volleyball team in August 1990 when the infamous tornado hit and destroyed the school.
Five co-workers jointly praised her focus on helping students who have anxiety, and involvement with the Hoops for Heart program. Ninety people were also recognized for their service at the CAPE ceremony.
The following received Green House Individual Awards:
Central Elementary School
• Parent of the Year – Liz McCully
• Educator of the Year – Alexa Mahoney
• Support Staff Member of the Year – Kathy Salamie-Barnhill,
Crystal Lawns Elementary School
• Support Staff Award – – Jenni Sebahar
• Parent Award – Joanne Kelly
• Teacher Award – Meredith Wodka
Grand Prairie Elementary School
• Support Staff Award - Nancy Hund
• Parent Award - Linda Salkas
• Teacher Award - Pat Schroeder
River View Elementary School
• Teacher Award - Kim Winters
• Support Staff Award - Marsha Spidle - Media Clerk
• Parent Award - Toni Walters
Indian Trail Middle School
• Teacher Appreciation Award - Alexandria Kordelewski
• PTO Lifetime Member Award - Heidi Bartos
• Friend of Education Award - Jennifer Archer
Timber Ridge Middle School
• Parent Award - JoAnn Donnelly
• Timber Ridge Teacher Award - Nathan Rancatore
• Timber Ridge Support Staff Award - Virginia Hawkins
Plainfield High School – Central Campus
• Teach Award - Barb Couter
• Support Award - Dennis Lepacek
• Parent Award - JoAnn Edenburn
The following received Red House Individual Awards:
Bonnie McBeth Learning Center
• Simply the Best Award - Hollie Hoole
• Pride Award - Mary Beth Perkins
• Friend of BMLC Award - Maggie Senese
Eagle Pointe Elementary School
• Support Staff - Angela Barbieri
• Volunteer Award - Charlene Sobie
• Teacher Award - Stacy McNamara-McGuire
Freedom Elementary School
• Support Staff Appreciation Award - Eva Garcia
• Volunteer Appreciation Award - Allison Hason
• Teacher Appreciation Award - Michael Pfile
Lincoln Elementary School
• Educator of the Year - Nathan Frazer
• Support Staff of the Year - Tammy Decker-Taylor
• Volunteer of the Year - Andrea Parr
• Walker's Grove Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year - Val Wagnon
• Support Staff Person of the Year - Gladys Molina Burns
• Volunteer of the Year - Kris Mangus
Plainfield Academy
• Certified Staff - Jada the Service Dog
• Support Staff Award - Judie Wehner
• Parent Award - Lillian Jackie Avitia
Heritage Grove Middle School
• Heritage Grove Husky Pride Award - Cheryl Miller
• Influential Educator - Jennifer Adamson
• Heritage Grove Support Staff - Angela Fedinec
Richard Ira Jones Middle School
• Teacher Pride Award - Amy Rosillo
• Support Staff Pride Award - Karen Tipton
• Friend of Education Award - Teresa Summers
Plainfield North High School
• Educator of the Year - Janet Smolich
• Support Staff of the Year - Sue LaSorsa
• Volunteer of the Year - Alisha Zyburt
The following recieved Orange House Individual Awards:
Creekside Elementary School
• Creekside PTA Educator Appreciation Award - Kim Gerdich
• Creekside PTA Service Scroll - Anya Herlien
• Creekside PTA Lifetime Membership - Debbie Bunker
Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School
• Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary Staff Award - Sara Garrison
• Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary Support Staff Award - Leonard "Bud" Carlson
• Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary Volunteer Award - Jill Eason
Lakewood Falls Elementary School
• Educator of the Year - Beatriz Legg
• Support Staff Member of the Year - Lori Hughes
• PTA Appreciation Award - Corie Monahan
Liberty Elementary School
• Support Staff of the Year - Donna Henson
• Volunteer of the Year - Debbie Crabtree
• Educator of the Year - Sarah Dygon
John F. Kennedy Middle School
• John F Kennedy Teacher Award Recipient - Gaylynne Gallagher
• John F Kennedy Support Staff Award Recipient -Thomas Kelly
• John F Kennedy Parent Award Recipient - Donna Smoldt
Plainfield East High School
• Bengal Pride Award 2015 - An Campbell
• Support Staff Award - Carl Grubb
• Teacher Award - Michel Pawlak
The following received Blue House Individual Awards:
Charles Reed Elementary School
• Outstanding Teacher - Erica Foley
• Outstanding Support Staff - Justin Veleta
• Exceptional Parent/Guardian Volunteer Award - Amy Schwert
Meadow View Elementary School
• Meadow View Teacher of the year Award - Kirsten Kilday
• Meadow View Support Staff Award - Nora Arias
• Meadow View Parent Exceptional Volunteer Winner - Sonja Fracisco
Ridge Elementary School
• Most Outstanding Teacher - Elene Planinsek
• Most Outstanding Support Staff - Dan Dineen
• Most Outstanding Parent/Guardian - Suzanne Shiffer
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
• Teacher Award - Jennifer Boozell
• Support Staff Award - Peggy Henderson
• Exceptional Volunteer Award - Karla Budz
Wesmere Elementary School
• Teacher Award - John Maertzig
• Support Staff Award - Katie Hines
• Parent Award - Tracy Dallmeyer
Aux Sable Middle School
• Volunteer Award - Dulce Maria Lara
• Teacher Award - Stephanie Murr
• Support Staff - Maria Imburgia
Drauden Point Middle School
• Panther Pride Staff Appreciation Award - Kristen Pozen
• Panther Pride Staff Appreciation Award - Deb Sciacca
• Drauden Point PTO Lifetime Membership Award - Ed Krutulis
Plainfield South High School
• Parent Award - Mark Treece
• Staff Member Award - Anne Schmitz
• Teacher Award - Mike Shubert