Irving School in Derby honored a select group of volunteers at the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) volunteer banquet held at the Aqua Turf in Southington March 12.
CAS proudly celebrates this event annually to publicly acknowledge the work of parents and other volunteers for their contributions to schools across the state. Over 600 participants from 100 elementary, middle and high schools were treated to a meal and musical entertainment.
Irving School Principal Jennifer Olson honored the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Executive Board, whose members include: Stacy Whelan, co-president, Corri Davies, treasurer, Missy Culvert, co-president, Darlene Nowinsky, secretary, Rebecca O’Hara, vice president. Also honored was Pat Tarasovic, the Valley United Way’s Volunteer Center Director.
Honorees were presented with certificates and corsages to commemorate their service. Irving School now has a plaque with the volunteers’ name for display in the building.
Jeremy Race, vice president for Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, was the keynote speaker. In his keynote he stated, “My challenge to all of you here tonight is simple. If our collective goal is to provide students with an all-encompassing, well-rounded education they need to be competitive in today’s society, then I say seek out volunteer partnerships as often as possible. Because you never know what those partnerships can lead to for your school and your students.”
He applauded the honorees for their service and ended his remarks stating, “I truly believe that volunteers can be the key difference maker in young peoples’ lives and to all of the volunteers here with us tonight, never underestimate the power and influence you can have on young people by giving of your time and talents.”
Olson, principal of Irving School, shared the following accolades for the award recipients, “Our PTO Executive Board has been incredibly helpful in coordinating events, fundraising and building a sense of community. Their fundraising efforts directly support our students with materials for the classrooms and enrichment experiences such as field trips, school plays and presentations that otherwise would not be available.”
Tarasovic is the Director of the Volunteer Center for Valley United Way. Olson said, “She helped coordinate a Back to School event where over 400 students were outfitted with clothes, shoes, coats, backpacks and supplies to start the new school year. Olson partnered with Irving School for the remainder of the year and provided us volunteers as the manpower behind our “Get it Done in a Day,” the school grounds cleanup and library makeover. She found a sponsor for our “Be Enthusiastic About Reading” (B.E.A.R) Program and coordinated a donation of 600 teddy bears. Every student was presented a bear to read to at home.”
Tarasovic also linked Irving School with corporate sponsorships for book drives, and hat and glove donations.
Also acknowledged at Tuesday’s event was the 2013 recipient of the CAS Distinguished Friends of Education Award, Kenneth Kitchings of Old Lyme. Established in 1983, this award honors a person, organization, or corporation for outstanding service to education in Connecticut.
