Elna Flynn Awards 2016: Dedicated to Community

Elna Flynn Awards 2016: Dedicated to Community

The Elna Flynn Outstanding Volunteer Award celebrates those individuals who volunteer countless hours of time in the name of education.

The Elna Flynn Outstanding Volunteer Awards are inspired by the life of Elna Flynn (1930-1987). Elna Flynn was the consummate Pacifica volunteer who spent her time in classrooms and served as president of the PTA at Portola School and of the Laguna Salada PTA Council, served on the 17th District PTA for San Mateo County, and was a founder of the Oceana Scholarship and Activities Foundation.

The Elna Flynn Awards dinner will take place on Friday, May 13, 2016. It is typically a sold out event. Please contact the PTO board of your child’s school if you are interested in attending.

Cabrillo Elementary School’s outstanding volunteers this year are Kari Trainor and Erin Stangeland.

Kari Trainor shares, “I have volunteered for every classroom job in the past 12 years. I have enjoyed supporting the best teachers at Cabrillo and especially in the younger grades when I worked with the students in the class. I have also helped with PE, carnivals, auctions, field trips, parties and a profitable opportunity was bringing the 49ers to Cabrillo. I had started it with the Pacifica Sports Club and asked if we could do a game to support Cabrillo. I gathered all my favorite moms and we raised $1500 that first game! It went on for 5+ years with so many amazing and dedicated volunteers. My favorite volunteer experience was chaperoning the Catalina trip. It was a weeklong vacation, a special time for the 8th graders and a fun group of parents along with Ila and Michele. Cabrillo is the best school because of the dedicated parents who invest time and make our schools great!”

Erin Stangeland writes, “At Cabrillo there were a few things that I did on a regular basis but I found that helping the teachers with whatever would make their lives easier is where I spent the most of my time. I started volunteering at Cabrillo school 12 years ago when I would ask the teachers if they had any odds and ends I could help with. There were so many great projects and lessons I was able to participate in which I really enjoyed. Besides the classroom work, I was an art volunteer for my children’s, Russell and Piper, classes for many years. I also helped as an art volunteer for other classes when they were short on volunteers. Other activities I would help out with included auction projects, PE volunteer and driving on field trips.”

This year Ingrid B. Lacy is honored to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of two dedicated parent volunteers, Michele Freutel and Nicole Ortega.

Michele Freutel has been an integral part of Ingrid B. Lacy’s PTO since her daughter, Jordyn started 6th grade. She has faithfully served on the PTO Executive Board as Secretary, as Spirit Wear Coordinator and worked very hard on our school’s direct donation program. She has chaired major events like Chocolate Fest and our Open House raffle and silent auction. Michele has helped with everything from New Student Orientation and Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week to the Greek Fest and 8th grade activities, like the Dinner/Dance.

Nicole Ortega has been a volunteer at Ingrid B. Lacy since 2006 when her oldest son began at IBL. She has served on our PTO Board, on our school site council, in the library and on the interview panel for our current principal. Nicole has volunteered for major events like our Marching Band competitions, Chocolate Fest, Greek Fest, Challenge Day, and 8th grade activities, including the Dinner/Dance and graduation. She has helped with everything from chaperoning field trips to selling popsicles with her mom on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Wherever help is needed, that is where you will find these two ladies. It is with a tremendous amount of respect and heartfelt gratitude that Ingrid B. Lacy recognizes Michele Freutel and Nicole Ortega as our 2016 Elna Flynn co-recipients. Thank you both for being so committed to our school community and for all your hard work and dedication to our Ingrid B. Lacy Bulldog Family.

The Ocean Shore school community is happy to honor Katherine Preston for 12 years of volunteerism as a parent of two students at Ocean Shore. Katherine has served in a variety of roles at our parent-participation school. She could be counted on for all types of work and was willing to help in any way that she could. Although Katherine spent countless years aiding in the classrooms, teaching art, serving the school at events, and helping with fundraising causes for the PTO, she also became a lasting member on the Ocean Shore PTO Executive Board. Katherine’s calm and quiet presence was respected by those who were present at meetings. Even in her roles as Vice President and as President, while quiet and observant, Katherine always was able to steer the PTO toward making decisions to improve our school and move the organization forward. She had a knack for summarizing complicated issues and then helping the PTO come to fruitful decisions. Katherine’s viewpoint continued to be about assuring the PTO was working to benefit the whole-school student population. Katherine has been a key member of Ocean Shore and we thank her for all her dedication and hard work!

Desiree Green has been a long-standing and active volunteer at Ocean Shore School. Desiree has spent countless hours serving our students. Desiree is the type of volunteer that you can count on to jump in and help on a moment’s notice. For 12 years she has served as a field trip driver, helped on picture days, aided in classrooms, and attended countless meetings including helping to organize Ocean Shore’s special Oceans Week events. Desiree has consistently run and supported the school’s talent show and always gives time to kids who need just a little extra attention to make their act perfect! Kids love working with Desiree as she gives endless smiles and encouragement. Even this year, with her youngest child in 8th grade and her oldest in high school, Ocean Shore needed a parent volunteer to help with a program for our youngest children and she stepped up to help weekly! Desiree is a true Ocean Shore parent who believes in the philosophy of a cooperative learning environment. We have been so lucky to have her at Ocean Shore for all these years!

This year, Ortega Elementary School is honored to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions of two amazing volunteers, Shirley Cotter and Melinda Pettersen. These hard-working volunteers have given immeasurably to our school and students for several years. Both Shirley and Melinda have contributed countless hours to making Ortega a strong, vibrant school community.

Shirley Cotter has been volunteering in Ms. Arguello’s class three times a week for the past 5 years. She helps the students in the class with Math, Reading/Language Arts and at the Homework Center. Shirley also puts in time to read the lessons and prepare outside the classroom so she can help students on a one-on-one basis. “ Shirley does everything to help me, from paper work, to organizing, but she excels at working with the kids. I appreciate her dedication and her desire to help the students,” said Ms. Arguello.

“ I’m getting back more than I’m giving. It feels good to have the students appreciate all the work we do together. It’s nice to get hugs, too,” said Shirley.

Melinda Pettersen has been volunteering for several years in Mr. Corten’s class, everyday of the week. She assists the students with Math and Reading and works with the students on a one-on-one basis. “ She doesn’t just help in my class, she talks to my students and makes them feel special. She has a way of anticipating who needs help and who just needs to talk. I truly appreciate her help and the class loves her,” said Mr. Corten.

“ My favorite part of volunteering is working with the students and seeing their progress. Working with Mr. Corten makes life fun,” said Melinda.

Sunset Ridge is proud to present Matt Pearson and Sylvia Santiago-Mejia as our outstanding Elna Flynn recipients. Matt Pearson can be found at Sunset Ridge Monday through Friday working in a classroom, helping out in the cafeteria or stuffing the Wednesday envelopes with the latest news and information. When Matt’s son started TK, Matt jumped in with both feet. He started by helping out in the cafeteria making sure that each child was helped to open milk or food containers. He quickly moved into the PTO world and helped organize events and activities. He is now our PTO Vice President and provides the gentle and kind leadership that supports all of our students. The major focus for Matt this year is to help out in his son’s classroom. He can be found listening to children read and giving gentle words of encouragement or helping out in the computer lab for any child that needs that little bit extra. The staff and students have come to rely on Matt and enjoy his support.

Sylvia Santiago-Mejia is also an amazing volunteer. Not only does she work and prepare breakfast and lunch for all of our children, she is an active parent volunteer. She has organized our “dine out” program this year. This program is a great community building activity as well as a fundraiser. Each month, Sylvia organizes a dinner at a local restaurant where everyone is invited to go and enjoy dinner and a percentage of the funds goes directly to the PTO.

Sylvia also volunteers at school events. She donates her time at our Annual Pancake Breakfast, Spaghetti Dinner and other school events to make sure everything is just right. She is an asset to our school community and we could do what we do without her helping out. Sylvia attends fieldtrips, supports classroom parties and activities, and has been a fantastic Room Parent.

We have been extremely lucky at Sunset Ridge to have such carrying and dedicated families volunteering at our school and we’d like to take this time to thank all the volunteers that make school a great place to learn.

Vallemar School is proud to announce Sue Rissotto as their 2016 Elna Flynn recipient Sue has been a dedicated Vallemar parent for twelve years. She has had two children at Vallemar, Steven, who is now in eighth grade and Anthony, who is a junior at Riordan.

Sue started her volunteering at Vallemar running the physical education program for kindergarten through fifth grades and has been an active parent ever since. She has helped out as a room mom in her children’s classrooms with organizing special classroom celebrations, prepping things for teachers, volunteering during enrichments and attending field trips! Sue has been the class representative and grade level representative for her children’s classes helping out with parent communication, auction baskets, and teacher appreciation gifts. Sue runs our 8th grade pencil cart every week, which the younger students absolutely love! She has taken on the role of co-chair for the 8th grade graduation activities for her son and his graduating class.

Sue Rissotto is dedicated to our school, students, staff, and community. She is willing to help all teachers in support of our students and school. She has supported all of us in so many positive ways. We are lucky to have her and her children here at Vallemar.