Board honors outstanding support staff

The Board of Education honored five employees with Outstanding Personnel Awards on June 10 as part of their annual recognition of support staff. Honored were:

• Robin Deese, food service manager, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School;
• Pamela Jenkins, instructional assistant, Dr. James Craik Elementary School;
• John Lancaster, building service manager, Milton M. Somers Middle School;
• George Risko, HVAC Mechanic, Radio Station Road Annex; and
• Sandra Shegogue, secretary, Piccowaxen Middle School.

Deese is the 2008 Outstanding Food Service Worker. She has been the food service manager at Barnhart for the past two school years and was nominated by Patrick Tague, the supervisor of food services for CCPS. Barnhart Principal Timothy Rosin said Deese is a "highly effective leader" and that she was instrumental in the establishment of the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) program at the school. This program provides each student at Barnhart with a breakfast, free of charge. "She and her staff daily prepare trays of these breakfasts which are then delivered to each of the classrooms so students can start their day off in a healthy way," Rosin said in a nomination letter. Deese was also nominated for her ability to communicate with parents and staff. "Robin has one of the best relationships that I have ever encountered with the parents of students at Barnhart. Ms. Deese is an asset to Charles County Public Schools, as well as a vital member of the Food Service Department," Crystal Sopher, food service field operations manager, wrote in a nomination letter.

Jenkins is the 2008 Outstanding Instructional Support Employee. She has worked as a pre-kindergarten instructional assistant at Craik since 1998 and was nominate for the award by Holly Cannon, a pre-kindergarten teacher at Craik. Jenkins was a parent volunteer at Craik and Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School and was asked to join the instructional team at Craik by Penny Nye, Craik's principal. "The fact that Pam works so well with the students at Craik is a testament to her fortitude, work ethic, and commitment to her students, as well as our entire school community," Nye said in a nomination letter. Jenkins is also a Relay for Life team captain and has organized several fundraisers. Cannon said Jenkins is very deserving of this award. "If success is measured one student at a time, then one must consider Jenkins highly deserving of this recognition for her positive impact on over 300 young learners in her eight years of service in Charles County," Cannon said in her nomination letter.

Lancaster is the 2008 Outstanding Building Service Worker. Lancaster has been with CCPS since 1993 and was nominated for the award by Stephanie Wesolowski, principal at Somers. She said Lancaster demonstrates a positive attitude toward all that he does and is reliable and dependable. "He approaches all of his tasks with a great deal of enthusiasm and pride each and every day. He efficiently manages the building service staff that keeps our school a clean and welcome place for the students and staff," Wesolowski said in a nomination letter. Somers has been undergoing renovations during the past school year and staff members said Lancaster has been instrumental in the processes. "He gives, and gives, and gives himself each and every day. He works his days off, he works beyond the regular day, and he does so without hesitation," Kim King, an instructional specialist at Somers, wrote in a nomination letter.

Risko is the 2008 Outstanding Maintenance Employee. He was nominated for the award by Ernie Downs, foreman in the CCPS maintenance shop. Downs said Risko, who is also known as "Dean", is a leader and has a "can do" attitude. "He has done an outstanding job of keeping team members optimistic and focused on results no matter what the obstacles. Dean is a reliable team member and sets an excellent example for the rest of use to follow," Downs said in a nomination letter. Brian Ball, the energy manager for the CCPS maintenance shop, said Risko is a team player and embraces technology and training. "Dean's use of training has made him proficient with our new computer work order management system. His integration of new tools into daily work and streamlining of work processes is exemplary," Ball wrote.

Shegogue is the 2008 Outstanding Secretary. Shegogue has been employed with CCPS for more than 35 years. Piccowaxen Principal Ken Schroeck said Shegogue is friendly to everyone she encounters in the school office and is dedicated and compassionate about her job. "When you first meet Mrs. Shegogue her contagious smile and friendly giggle will put you at ease. I am absolutely impressed by her willingness to help faculty, students with anything they need," Schroeck said in a nomination letter. Shegogue is known as the "go-to" person at Piccowaxen and is instrumental in managing student attendance information, making awards, organizing schedules and coordinating school and community communications. "The compassion and guidance Shegogue provides is pivotal in supporting and retaining our faculty," Schroeck said.

The Board each year honors exemplary support staff in five different job categories. The goals of the awards are to recognize exemplary employees in the areas of building services, food services, maintenance, secretarial services and instructional support, and to encourage employees to provide creative and quality services that support the effective and efficient operations of the school system.

Pictured above are the 2008 Outstanding Personnel Award recipients. From left is Sandra Shegogue, the Outstanding Secretary from Piccowaxen Middle School; John Lancaster, the Outstanding Building Service Worker, from Milton M. Somers Middle School; Pamela Jenkins, the Outstanding Instructional Support Employee, from Dr. James Craik Elementary School; Robins Deese, the Outstanding Food Service Worker, of C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School; and George Risko, the Outstanding Maintenance Employee, of the Radio Station Road Annex.