May 2019 Meeting Minutes

Arlington Special Education PTA (SEPTA)

Monday, May 6, 2019

7-9:00 PM

Washington-Lee High School, Auditorium

I. SEPTA Business

Arlington SEPTA President Janna Dressel opened the awards ceremony by thanking the 2019 Annual SEPTA Awards nominating committee, presenters, and reviewers.  She provided the following business updates:

·         Proceeds from the Lebanese Taverna fundraiser totaled $500

·         Upcoming events:   

• iSTEAM on May 19th at Luther Jackson MS (later rescheduled for Sept.7, 2019 – more details to come)
•   Arlington SEPTA end of-the-year picnic on June 15th from 12-2:00 at Walter Reed Community Center.  The slate for next year’s board will be voted on at the June picnic.

II. Awards Ceremony

Student James Coughlin kicked off the ceremony by entertaining the audience with a couple of piano pieces.  Presenters Caroline Levy (Arlington SEPTA Past President), Tara Natrass (APS Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning), and Paul Jamelske (APS Director of Special Education) recognized the following nominees and awardees for their amazing work.

A. Nannini Award – to an outstanding student advocate.  The nominees were:

·         Sirage Hamam, Career Center

·         Madison Holsinger, Yorktown

·         William Tyler, Yorktown

·         Alex Keith, Yorktown

Alex Keith received the Nannini Award.

B. Crawford Award – to an outstanding educator.  The nominees were:

·         Abby James, ASFS

·         Shaunice Henderson, ATS

·         Krystal Spraggins, Barcroft

·         Margaret Michel, Campbell

·         Ginger Courtney, Drew Model

·         Elaina Eliopoulos, Drew Model

·         Ashley Snyder, Henry

·         Richel Haslam-Hemmer, Integration Station

·         Laurie Clark, Jamestown

·         Dani Greene, Jamestown

·         Michelle Hubert, Kenmore

·         Eurith Bowen, Kenmore

·         Daniele Miles, Kenmore

·         Mary Jo Primosch, Langston

·         Nichole Barrett, Taylor

·         Robin Anderson, Tuckahoe

·         Melissa Deichmann, W-L

·         Erin Donohue, Wakefield

·         Kimberly Cannonica, Williamsburg

Eurith Bowen received the Crawford Award.

C. Turner Award – to an outstanding administrator.  The nominees were:

·         David McBride, Kenmore

·         Cameron Snyder, Henry

·         Judy Apostolico-Buck, Barcroft

·         Felicia Russo, Long Branch

Felicia Russo received the C. Turner Award.

D. Howie Award – to an outstanding volunteer.  The nominees were:

·         Janna Dressel, Jamestown

·         Hannah Grieco, Campbell & Drew

·         Michelle Best, Gunston & Yorktown

Michelle Best received the Howie Award.

E. Exceptional Ally Award.  The nominees were:

·         Anne Felipe, Wakefield

·         Hannah Goldstein, Wakefield

·         Ella Robertson, Yorktown

Hannah Goldstein received the Exceptional Ally Award.

F. Exceptional Support Award – to an outstanding aide/assistant or support staff.  The nominees were:

·         Loreto Karver, Jamestown

·         Candice Scott, Kenmore

·         Laura Anduze-Cabrero, Oakridge

·         Anita Mack, Kenmore

·         Julia Olanyk, Taylor

·         Joseph Hanna, Henry

·         Kristy Perry, Swanson

Anita Mack received the Exceptional Support Award.

G.  McBride Award – to an outstanding school or program.  The nominee was:

·         Kenmore Middle School

Kenmore Middle School received the McBride Award.

Congratulations to all nominees and awardees for all their great work in supporting special education students!