Congratulations to the 2015-2016 Elected Officers!
President: Jason Owens
Vice President of Volunteers: Janell Jordan
Secretary: Camille Wright
Treasurer: Linda Galluzo
These individuals were elected at our April 21, 2015 General Membership meeting per WSPTA By-Laws.
AWARDS Announcement
The Outstanding Educator Award was created by the WSPTA to recognize individuals who have gone beyond the normal expectations of their job to make outstanding contributions to enhance the education of children. Liberty PTSA is excited to award two Outstanding Educator Awards this year.
Casey Stookey does a little bit of everything at Liberty this year. After making quite an impression on students last year in the classroom, Mr. Stookey took on the role of coordinator/supervisor for several different areas in our school. He is the scholarship coordinator for College in the High School, AP Exams, Night Academy and Field Trips. He is the assessment coordinator, Start Strong coordinator, and Textbook coordinator. He is also the Fall and Winter Sports supervisor. But it doesn’t stop there! He is a lunch supervisor, soccer coach, and Dr. Almy’s right hand man when it comes to construction. While Mr. Stookey is wearing all these different hats, he is making a lasting and positive impression on students. They say he is kind and friendly and says Hi to everyone he sees. Students actively seek him out just to chat and always walk away with a smile. As one student wrote, “Mr. Stookey is one of those staff members that students will remember for years to come.”
Mrs. Robin Wood – that name makes everyone want to sing! In the 5 years that Mrs. Wood has been at Liberty directing choir her class has grown from one group of 11 to 2 groups of 72 and 50 (+/-). This is not including the before school Jazz Choir and after school Men’s Ensemble that she leads at Liberty. Through her passionate love of music and all things vocal, she has lovingly nourished students who might otherwise not feel accepted at school. She provides a safe environment where everyone is welcome and everyone is loved. Mrs. Wood considers all her students “her children” and they call her “Mama Wood” with all the love a child shows a mother. Along with all this tenderness and love, Mrs. Wood has high expectations of her students and pushes them beyond what they think they are capable of. This love and drive have led to Superior ratings at every single competition and festival that Mrs. Wood’s choirs have attended. Her passion and determination and “we can do it” attitude is what drove her Liberty Singer’s Elite Choir to put in hundreds of hours rehearsing and fundraising so that they could go to New York to perform during Spring Break. She is helping her students make memories and have experiences that will follow them through the rest of their lives. One student summed it up well, “Mrs. Wood loves us all but she pushes us to always do better. I’m a better person because of her.”
ISF News
2015 Grant Awards
It’s awards season at the Issaquah Schools Foundation. This year, the Foundation awarded 27 grants totaling more than $84,000 to fund innovative progams and educational enrichments.
Here is what you as a Foundation donor are making possible at Liberty:
Angie Kruzich received $9,765 to purchase Surface tablets for AP statistics and other math classes, providing hands-on learning opportunities preparing our students for future academic and career challenges.
The purpose of these grants is to fund innovative solutions at the grassroots, classroom level. All of our students benefit because these programs often serve as pilot programs that are then expanded using your donor dollars, to every school.
Your Place at the Table
Have you reserved your seat for Nourish Every Mind? The Issaquah Schools Foundation’s signature event is your opportunity to meet, mingle and learn how much our students benefit from your support. Join us for the 17th Annual Nourish Every Mind Luncheon on May 14 at the Issaquah Community Center or the 2nd Annual Nourish Every Mind Breakfast on May 20 at Eastridge Church. For more information, contact your PTSA’s Schools Foundation representative, Libbie FitzGerald (libbiefitzgerald@gmail.com) or Carolyn Kennedy at carolynk2@hotmail.com.
Bringing Big Ideas to Life
Our Balloon Brigade was back on the town on March 27 to surprise the winners of our Kateri Brow Big Idea/Biggest Need Grants. Twelve teachers received Kateri Brow grants ranging in amount from $1,500 to $9,800 to fund innovative programs for students throughout the district. Learn about this year’s awards at isfdn.org/grants/kateri-brow-2015.