CAPE Honors Plainfield School District Faculty, Staff, Parents

PLAINFIELD, IL – 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 41st annual CAPE awards night on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Plainfield North 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 2017 CAPE Community Award to Plainfield Academy Principal Tod Schnowske.

CAPE President Betsey Vinson praised Schnowske for his involvement with numerous community service organizations including the Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs, the Plainfield Art League and the C.W. Avery YMCA Board.

Schnowske has also hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and different community fundraisers to service students with disabilities, students at risk, and expressive arts therapy and arts awareness programs.

A renowned community artist, Schnowske has also donated many of his works to raise money for various community causes and organizations.

CAPE presented its CAPE Lifetime Membership Award to outgoing Board of Education President Michelle Smith.

Smith has served eight years on the District 202 Board of Education, including the last two as president. She chose to not run again this year.

Vinson noted Smith’s generosity with both her time and resources. Smith has served numerous community, school and district-level organizations ranging from elementary to high school parent groups; the CAPE organization; the C.W. Avery YMCA; and the Foundation for Excellence, among others.

She and her husband, Brian also publicly and privately support many community charitable organizations and functions.

These staff and community members were recognized for their service at the CAPE ceremony:

Orange House Individual Awards

Creekside Elementary School

· Educator Appreciation Award: Allison Pharo

· Educational Support Award: Lauren Ledvina

· Outstanding Volunteer Award: Mary Kay Brelsford

Eichelberger Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Nancy Adducci

· Support Staffer of the Year: Nadia Klailat

· Parent Volunteer of the Year – Mary Alexander-Basta

Lakewood Falls Elementary School

· Educator of the Year: Taylor Rosanova

· Support Staffer of the Year: Tracy Aguilar

· PTA Appreciation Award: Gavin Withaeger

Liberty Elementary School

· Educator of the Year Award: Megan Jakobsze

· Support Staff of The Year Award: Allison Suchinski

· Outstanding Volunteer Award: Jessica McGrath

John F. Kennedy Middle School

· Educator of the Year Award: Stacy Hemmens

· Support Staff of the Year: Mary Beth Bruton

· Volunteer of the Year: Tammi Cosola

Plainfield East High School

· Teacher Bengal Award: Kady Fairfield

· Staff Bengal Award: Jeri Kasper

· Volunteer Bengal Award: Susie Hansen

Blue House Individual Awards

Charles Reed Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Kimberly Wayne

· Support Staffer of the Year: Stephanie Jerabek

· Volunteer of the Year: Karen Nissan

Meadow View Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Becky Jaracz

· Support Staff of the Year: Megan Marks

· Volunteer of the Year: Nicole Henson

Ridge Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Lindsay Waldorf

· Support Staffer of the Year: Sharon Aguilar

· Volunteer of the Year: Jen Mezewich

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: James Anderson

· Support Staffer of the Year: Grace McAllister

· Volunteer of the Year: Jillian Johnson

Wesmere Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Patricia Danko

· Support Staffer of the Year: Nicholas Block

· Volunteer of the Year: Julie Thorson

Aux Sable Middle School

· Teacher of the Year: Carrie Offerman

· Support Staffer of the Year: Jamie Presta

· Volunteer of the Year: Margaret Kantor

Drauden Point Middle School

· Teacher of the Year: Teralyn Hall

· Support Staff Member of the Year: Sharon Bernickus

· Volunteer of the Year: Erin O’Neill

Plainfield South High School

· Teacher of the Year: Ken Bublitz

· Support Staff of the Year: Detective Jeff Kneller

· Volunteer of the Year: Karyl Bradley

Green House Individual Awards

Central Elementary School

· Educators of the Year: Shannon Edmondson & Lynn Smith

· Resource Staff Member of the Year: Rachel Ball:

· Parent of the Year: Beth Winiars

Crystal Lawns Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Amanda Cariveau

· Support Staff of the Year: Lori Dela Fuente

· Volunteer of the Year: Laura House

Grand Prairie Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Paula Wrobel

· Support Staff of the Year: Kathy Stortz

· Volunteer of the Year: Dave Gomez

River View Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Deborah Noser:

· Support Staff of the Year: Debra Fauber

· Volunteer of the Year: Mary Ann Rupp

Plainfield Academy

· Teacher of the Year: Matt Cassidy

· Support Staffer of the Year: Lana Evans

· Volunteer of the Year: Detective Jeff Cook

Indian Trail Middle School

· Teacher of the Year: Molly Kowynia

· Support Staff of the Year: Samantha Greek

· Volunteer of the Year: Rebecca Maza

Timber Ridge Middle School

· Teacher of the Year: Yana Kuligan

· Support Staff of the Year: Karin Schmidt

· Volunteer of the Year: Susan Fox

Plainfield High School – Central Campus

· Teacher of the Year: Dave desGarennes

· Support Staff of the Year: Kathy Rose Matijevic

· Volunteer of the Year: Kim Kazmirzak

RED HOUSE INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Bonnie McBeth Learning Center

· Teacher of the Year: Patty McNamara

· Support Staffer of the Year: Barb Glyda

· Volunteer of the Year: Rachel Wolverton

Eagle Pointe Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Kristin Haines

· Support Staff of the Year: Rachel Taylor

· Volunteer of the Year: Kelly Czarniewski

Freedom Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Jieun Heo

· Support Staff of the Year: Carlos Tapia

· Volunteer of the Year: Jennifer Caronia

Lincoln Elementary School

· Teacher of the Year: Sharrine Phelps

· Support Staff of the Year: Mirta Bartolomein

Top photo: Michelle Smith accepts the CAPE Lifetime Membership Award/Submitted by District 202

Editor's note: A press release submitted by District 202 incorrectly stated that Schnowske had won the Lifetime Membership Award and Smith had won the 2017 CAPE Award. Schnowske is in fact this year's CAPE Award winner, while Smith received the Lifetime Membership Award.