In preparation for 2013 School-Related Professionals Recognition Day, NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue recorded a video for the NYSUT website thanking SRPs for their professionalism and spoke about how SRP Recognition Day was created in New York state.
The day was celebrated across the state in unique and creative ways. NYSUT’s third annual SRP Recognition Day contest was also a big success. Program services received many quality submissions of photos, quotes and celebration details from all over the state. It was difficult for the selection committee to choose between the creative and thoughtful ways our SRP members were recognized. But choose they did and we are proud to highlight those prize winners. Congratulations go to:
- First Prize – Liberty Assistants Monitors and Aides
- Second Prize – Sayville Teachers’ Association
- Third Prize – Penfield Education Association
First prize went to the Liberty Assistants Monitors and Aides (LAMA). Local president Sue Huggler said that, at their board meeting, the Liberty Central School District Board of Education members thanked and recognized all district SRPs. LAMA members also received a message from the superintendent and the principals.
LAMA held a dinner buffet event at a local restaurant for their members and presented them with cards, pins and chocolates.
In true SRP fashion, the celebration included giving to others. There was a VOTE-COPE drawing and the raffle of a beautiful, handmade pink afghan that incorporated hearts and the breast cancer ribbon design in its pattern.
The unit raised $300, which members donated to NYSUT for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign. Members also donated canned goods and other ingredients for Thanksgiving meals, including turkeys and frozen pies, amassing four large boxes of food to distribute to needy families in their area.
Huggler said LAMA takes care of its members and community even in small ways. NYSUT agrees that small ways can make a big difference in the lives of others.
The first place winners were awarded a two-for-one credit to attend the 2014 SRP Leadership Conference. Congratulations!
Handmade afghan for raffle
LAMA members enjoying a night out.
The second prize award goes to the Sayville Teachers Association, whose members wanted a way to thank their exemplary support staff. They invited the SRP chapter members to a special brunch, with TA members preparing many delectable dishes and fresh coffee. According to Sayville TA President Tim Southerton, each SRP member received an invitation, which was personalized according to job category. TA members used a lighthouse theme and the slogan “SRPs… You light our way to success” for their decorations and artwork. The brunch celebration included free raffles for the SRPs. What a great way to bring some joy and fun to SRPs.
The Sayville TA won a large basket of Fair Trade goodies to share at their next union meeting.
Brunch buffet display
"SRPs. . .You light our way to success” sign.
The Penfield Education Association, whose president Sonia Basko shared photos of SRPs having breakfast treats, won third prize.
A third-grade teacher had her students make posters thanking the SRPs. The illustrations the children lovingly drew and colored beautifully show how they appreciate the work of the support staffers in their building. Also, the Penfield EA dedicated a special issue of their newsletter, The Broadside, to the SRPs in the district. Each of the 11 pages of the newsletter is full of photos, quotes and interviews with members from each SRP job category. “Penfield SRPs perform a variety of key roles in our schools. We created this special edition of The Broadside to honor these amazing people who help meet the needs of our students. We hope that this edition serves to help educate PEA members about day-to-day workplace struggles SRPs face and the things that they do,” Basko said.
The local won a NYSUT SRP pen for each of the SRPs in the unit.
Penfield teaching assistant Nancy Sanders, secretary Mary Zweifel, and teacher Sue Mietus at Bay Trail Middle School for SRP Recognition Day.
Miller Mietus, third-grader at Scribner Road Elementary School, with a poster he and classmates completed to thank SRPs in Mrs. Sherrill Moon’s class.”