Shout Out For Stand Outs
Below is a list of the employees/volunteers that have been recognized as "Stand Out" staff members by fellow colleagues, parents, students or volunteers. To nominate someone, click here.
9/13/11 Shout out to: Sherry Bergen, Hickory Hill. Mrs. Bergen's enthusiasm makes students excited about reading and technology. Interactions with her are always a joy. She'll go above and beyond to assist students as well as parents. Thank you, Mrs. Bergen! The Koehler Family
8/20/11 Shout out to: Tom Hanson, Director of Buildings & Grounds. Everyone at Anderson Grove says THANK YOU to Tom Hanson for all his support with our various projects over the past couple years. Tom has provided helpful guidance and advice as we have moved forward with playground projects, landscaping, and interior beautification projects. He has been extremely generous with his time and expertise. AG wouldn't be looking nearly as "spiffy" without Tom's support. High Five to Tom -- now an honorary Quail! :) Anne Harley
6/27/11 Shout out to: Donna Wenzel, La Vista Junior High. As a media specialist Mrs. Wenzel does everything possible to get students to read more books. She sponsors a very popular Reading Club, she has a huge following of students and staff who read the Golden Sower books each year, she does "Book Talks" in classrooms, she brings authors to our school to connect with kids, and she gets to know the students personally, including their favorite authors. Every year the number of books checked out increases, going from 10,474 in 2003-04 to 22,808 this year! Tom Furby
6/27/11 Shout out to: Bruce Nissen, La Vista Junior High. In addition to being an excellent keyboarding and word processing teacher, Mr. Nissen goes the extra mile to get students involved in school activities such as track and weight lifting, including offering Weight Club during the school year and in the summer. Tom Furby
6/27/11 Shout out to: Tyson Smith & Jason Settles, La Vista Junior High. Tyson and Jason took on leadership roles to begin the PBIS program at LJH. This program focuses on recognizing students for doing the right thing. Students who are being respectful and responsible are randomly reinforced by a staff member giving them a bracelet. Their names are then placed in periodic drawings for prizes. This year more than 3,000 bracelets were given out. Tom Furby
6/24/11 Shout out to: Jennifer Brakenhoff, La Vista Junior High. While serving in her role as Special Education teacher and Department Leader, Jennifer was a tireless advocate for students. She put in whatever hours were necessary to meet with teachers and parents in our elementary schools to plan student schedules and implement transition activities. She planned instructional accommodations and arranged support for students in classes. Her hard work insures a positive transition to La Vista Junior High, and a successful experience once they arrive. Tom Furby
6/24/11: Shout out to Kala Morrissey, Stacy Hawn & Connie Svendsen, Central Office! Thank you Kala, Stacy and Connie for all you do and your commitment to educating Papillion-La Vista Students. Thank you for particularly for all of your work with compiling the communication survey data. Due to your efforts, Principals and staff will have great data to assist in planning their communication efforts! – Annette Eyman, Communications Director
5/31/11: Shout out to Mrs. Leslie Palensky, Hickory Hill! The kindergarten music program in April was outstanding! Mrs. Palensky created a fun-filled show for the children as well as the audience. The vocal, dance and instrumental techniques she was able to teach these young students was very impressive! – Dave & Leigh Anne Koehler, Parents
5/27/11: Shout out to Jamie Slaughter, Kitchen Manager PLSHS! Shout Out to Jamie Slaughter and her kitchen staff for having an accident-free year for 2010-11. South High is the largest kitchen in the district serving 10 elementary schools in addition to our South High students. Going all year without a single employee accident or any lost time from work is a major accomplishment. Thanks Jamie for your leadership and attention to safety! - Sue Sucha, Director of Food Service
5/18/11: Shout out to Lindsay Eisenmenger, Papillion Jr High! Mrs. Eisenmenger is an awesome role-model and so kind and caring! She recommend books for me to read over the summer, because I could not think of any I would be interested in. She is so supportive and easy to talk to. I would like to thank her for going out of her way to help me find more information on a program I am going to participate in. – Erin Bertone, Student
5/17/11: Shout out to Katie Wittrig, Papillion-La Vista High School! Katie is an exceptional teacher who goes above and beyond to make learning interesting and fun. In addition to her outstanding teaching skills Katie is the staff sponsor for Graduate Straight at Paillion LaVista High School. She not only puts in many hours planning and coordinating this event with the school staff, volunteers, outside vendors, and students, she attends all night long to make sure the seniors have one last fun and safe night at the high school. I hope this event continues for years! Thanks, Katie for all you do!!! – Candi Abels, Parent
4/27/11: Shout out to Jennifer Brakenhoff, La Vista Jr High! Jennifer is the most tireless educcator I have ever worked with. She is a perpetual blur, running from student to student and task to task. Somehow in all the chaos, she manages to keep a positive attitude, and she is always contributing ideas to help students in our team meetings. Her abilities as a special education teacher and her determination to help every student make her a standout any day of the week!!!! – Tracey Grisham, Teacher English 7th
4/26/11: Shout out to Julie Phillips, Papillion-La Vista! This year we have a new Spanish 3 textbook and curriculum. Because of this, it was very difficult for me to prepare all of my maternity lesson plans in advance. Julie took time out of her day to work with my substitute and help share materials from her Spanish 3 classes. She did all of this while balancing a student teacher and balancing her 5 Spanish & Russian preps! Many thanks to a great coworker & friend. – Katie Wittrig, CoWorker PLHS
4/15/11: Shout out to Anita Kennedy, Central Office! The nominee's contribution: Anita has always balanced her many diverse responsibilities with ease, positivity and a pleasant demeanor. Recently Anita has gone above and beyond by helping us with the Alumni Recognition Event honoring alumni who have kept their classes close and connected to the District. Her support of the various requests for information is always timely and the alumni records are getting better every day because of her diligence. Thanks Anita for all your help that makes the work of the Foundation more effective and our connection with our alumni stronger. – John Erickson, Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation
4/6/11: Shout out to Peg Nolan & Maria Laws, Papillion Jr High! The nominee's contribution: : Peg Nolan and Maria Laws went above and beyond to help me find some historical fiction books and prepared a cart with 30 some books for our research unit and bought it upstairs to my room. Their help was greatly appreciated! – Michelle Sis, Teacher at Papillion Jr High
4/6/11: Shout out to Becky Kinloch & Doug Casal, Papillion Jr High! The nominee's contribution: : Mrs. Kinloch & Mr. Casal were Caught in the Act of engineering an elaborate piece of scenery/costuming for the Drama Club Play. They made a 3 dimensional reinforced structure for the character of "The Mirror", several levels above what was envisioned by the cast and crew. Thank you to them for lending their time, vast talents and enthusiasm! - Maria Wilson, Speech Pathologist
4/6/11: Shout out to Cindy Burki, Papillion Jr High! Cindy Burki was Caught in the Act for helping out students with a technology project we had in our English classes. I appreciated all of her help so much! – Valerie Parrack, 7th grade English Teacher
4/6/11: Shout out to Deb McElroy, Papillion Jr. High! The nominee's contribution: : Deb McElroy was Caught in the Act for her creativity in making a Sweet 16 bracket and decorating the skeleton in the Science room to get kids excited about the upcoming CSA. Deb rocks!! – Valerie Parrack, 7th Grade English Teacher
4/6/11: Shout out to Becky Kinloch & Doug Casal, Papillion Jr High! Mrs. Kinloch & Mr. Casal were Caught in the Act of engineering an elaborate piece of scenery/costuming for the Drama Club Play. They made a 3 dimensional reinforced structure for the character of "The Mirror", several levels above what was envisioned by the cast and crew. Thank you to them for lending their time, vast talents and enthusiasm! – Maria Wilson, Speech Pathologist
4/15/11: Shout out to Anita Kennedy, Central Office! The nominee's contribution: Anita has always balanced her many diverse responsibilities with ease, positivity and a pleasant demeanor. Recently Anita has gone above and beyond by helping us with the Alumni Recognition Event honoring alumni who have kept their classes close and connected to the District. Her support of the various requests for information is always timely and the alumni records are getting better every day because of her diligence. Thanks Anita for all your help that makes the work of the Foundation more effective and our connection with our alumni stronger. – John Erickson, Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation
