Sun Valley Council PTA honors educators, community volunteers

Four teachers, several community members, a school secretary and the outgoing superintendent are recipients of awards from the Sun Valley Council PTA, the umbrella organization representing all of the school PTAs in Ramona Unified School District.

Nick Jordan, Gloria Quinn, Connie Halfaker and Damon Baldwin received Outstanding Teacher awards. Jordan, construction trades teacher at Montecito High School, and Quinn, functional skills teacher at Ramona High School, attended the council’s Volunteer Appreciation Event at Vineyard Grant James.

Lori Stevens, Sun Valley Council PTA president, presented the awards on behalf of the council.

“In two short years, Nick’s high-level energy, extraordinary rapport with teenagers, and his very positive ‘can-do’ attitude has drawn praise from all across the district,” she said. “…Besides performing so many important functions at our schools, his students are learning valuable lessons in construction, repair and public relations.”

Jordan’s students created a partnership with Hanson Elementary fifth-graders to build benches and planters, provided support for the district’s maintenance workers on numerous repairs, gutted and reconstructed their work space at Montecito, planted landscaping at the middle school, improved the weight room at Ramona High, worked on a ceiling and floor at James Dukes Elementary, and built a patio table for the district office and shed for the auto shop. Jordan’s class also has partnered with Ramona Rotary Club, Friends of Ramona Unified Schools, the Better Business Bureau and the Ramona Chamber of Commerce by building items for their fundraisers.

Quinn received accolades for her idea to reduce waste that has mushroomed a project that saved the district at least $18,000 in its first year. Her composting Earth Tub and food recycling program has received county, state and federal attention and benefited her students, the agriculture program at Ramona High and the environment.

The council credited Baldwin, Ramona High athletic director and head football coach since 2005, with supporting every sport program on the campus. Ramona teams have made the CIF playoffs for 11 consecutive years, noted Stevens.

“But more than that, he has helped shape the lives of young men on his teams using football as a metaphor for life, focusing on character, conduct and academics always before the game itself,” she said.

Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Theresa Grace accepted the award for Halfaker, who was at an all-star game. Halfaker has coached varsity girls and boys volleyball for the past two decades. Her girls team has won two CIF championships.

She is the Southern California Girls Volleyball Coach of the Year, and she also works with special needs students through adaptive physical education classes at each school in the district.

A Very Special Person Award went to businesswoman and parent Shelly Heimer.

“Always one to give a little more or go the extra mile, Shelly cares about our schools and students,” said Stevens. “Whether she is organizing a golf tournament, thanking teachers by providing all teachers and staff a catered lunch during Staff Appreciation Week, or donating a portion of her income, Shelly is determined to make our schools better for not only her children but for all the children of Ramona.”

The Honorary Service Award went to Susana Abarca, the principal’s secretary at Ramona Elementary. The county honored her at this year’s Biliteracy Symposium for her contribution to the Spanish-speaking students and parents of her community.

“As the first face parents see when they enter the office at R.E., Susana is a breath of fresh air that any parent would want for their school,” said Stevens.

Continuing Service awards went to Friends of Ramona Unified Schools (FORUS) and Lynne Knowd. FORUS Board members Greg Chick, Lynda Kubinak and Perla Martinez represented the nonprofit organization comprised of community members, retired teachers, student liaisons and others. Established after the defeat of Proposition R in 2012, FORUS focuses on health and safety projects at the schools.

Through private fundraising and donations, FORUS has worked on projects such as restroom repairs at Ramona High and the middle school, purchasing and installing vandal-proof soap dispensers at the secondary schools, purchasing drinking fountains and bottle fillers at several schools, funding roof repairs, and purchasing restroom hand dryers. The group coordinates its efforts with the district’s maintenance department.

Knowd developed the Quad Crown Races at the elementary schools seven years ago. Held at different campuses, five one-mile races are held each year. Participating students receive T-shirts, and the races have helped bring the schools and students together

“Lynne is a huge believer that our students’ lives are improved through the participation in sports and fitness activities,” said Stevens. “She is an active participant in the community and over the years has been a soccer coach in both the recreational league and the Intra Travel Club.”

Because his daughter’s high school graduation was the same evening as the recognition ceremony, Graeff was unable to attend the recognition ceremony. The Golden Oak Service Award he received during the June 16 school board meeting is the most prestigious of all the honorary service awards from the California PTA, said Stevens. It goes to an individual or organization that has made “significant contributions to the welfare of children and youth in a school or community.”

Graeff attends PTA meetings, communicates information from the district, answers all the council’s questions, and has a great sense of humor, Stevens said.

“He has been an integral player in the All District Concerts, the Local Control Accountability Plan, Project Lead the Way, Career Technical Education, vocal and instrumental music in our schools, and full day kindergarten,” she said.

During his 15 years at Ramona Unified, the district has received three Golden Bell awards, five Distinguished School awards, five Gold Ribbon School awards, three Title 1 Achievement awards, two National Schools to Watch awards, one Exemplary CTE Award, and one Model Continuation High School Award, and he has been Association of California School Administrators Assistant Superintendent of the Year and ACSA Superintendent of the Year.