CAPE Group Honors District 202 Parents, Teachers

CAPE— committee for the Coordination of Administration and Parent groups for Educational efficiency—recognized outstanding parents, community members, teachers and staff members at a ceremony held March 23 at .

CAPE presented its “2011 Honored Guest Award” to Bonnie McBeth Learning Center’s speech/language pathologist Ray Auld.

Auld is the co-founder of the district program Project CLASS (Communication, Language & Social Skills). 

District 202 Special Education PTA President Chris Loeffler praised Auld’s “determination to see these special children succeed.”

Auld, a father of eight with many family obligations, was cited for finding the time to train and coach parents in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and other ways to communicate with our non-verbal little ones. He cheers his students at sporting events and takes part in the WALK for Autism in Chicago every spring. 

CAPE President Laura Ries Dralle presented the 2011 CAPE Award to Wesmere Elementary School Principal Gene Carlson in recognition of his dedication and service to the district.

Carlson is Wesmere’s first and only principal, leading the school since it opened 15 years ago.

He said he credits his sixth-grade elementary school teacher with sparking his interest in becoming an educator, and this interest never wavered. He worked as a fourth-grade teacher for 10 years in Oswego, followed by four years as a principal in Pau Pau and six as a principal in Yorkville, before starting at Wesmere.

Dralle cited Carlson’s personal dedication to his staff, students, families and PTO efforts for the warmth, comfortable atmosphere in place at Wesmere.

Carlson has served on countless district-level committees. “He leads Wesmere’s School Improvement and five-year strategic planning teams one moment, and can then be found later in the day bringing your Culver’s order to your car at a PTO-sponsored event,” Dralle said.

An active and dedicated parent and community member as well, Carlson was involved with the Scouts, football and volleyball, served as an usher at his family’s church, and was an active member of the Kiwanis Club, a worldwide service organization whose mission is to improve local communities by serving the children of the world.

Best known to many as the humorous and entertaining CAPE Awards’ Master of Ceremonies, Carlson also received the 2008 CAPE Honored Guest award.

Wesmere Elementary School was also honored on its 15-year anniversary.

More than 180 people were also honored for their service to the district:

RED HOUSE

Bonnie McBeth Learning Center

Friend of Bonnie McBeth Learning Center Award: Dana Meinkow

Friend of Bonnie McBeth Learning Center Award: Emmett Haughian

Simply the Best Award:  Our Custodial Team  -

Jennifer Small, Chad Bailey, Manuela Garcia and Maria Villegas

Pride Award: Elizabeth Taylor

Plainfield Academy, Turnabout and P-Step Program

Plainfield Academy

Exceptional Support of Students Award: Jon Zarzycki

Exceptional Support of Students Award: Robert Pogliano

Turnabout Program

Exceptional Support of Students Award: Sheri Neal, LCSW

P-Step Program

Exceptional Support of Students Award: David Sylvester

Therapeutic Academic Program (TAP)

Exceptional Support of Students Award: Mary Ellen Miller, LCSW

Eagle Pointe Elementary School

Friend of Education: Jennifer Super

Teacher of the Year: Andrea Bowen

Faculty Member of the Year: Vikki Carter 

Freedom Elementary School

Volunteer of the Year: Toni Corinescu

Support Staff of the Year: Colleen McGarr

Teacher of the Year: Amy Buono

Teacher of the Year: Christy Newell

Lincoln Elementary School

Life Membership Award: Tammy Decker-Taylor

Distinguished Service Scroll: Mike and Shari Phelps

Book of Recognition: Tim Brzezinski

Book of Recognition: Lisa Worsley

Educator of the Year: Laurie Bogner

The Laura Fahrner Award: Julie Jamiolkowski

Walker’s Grove Elementary School

Educator of the Year Award: Mr. Steve Riederer

Educator of the Year Award: Ms. Suzanne Quigg 

PTO Volunteer of the Year Award: Shannan Kiger

PTO Volunteer of the Year Award: JoAnn Jackson

PTO Lifetime Member Award: Stacy Daniels

PTO Lifetime Member Award: Sheri Martin

Heritage Grove Middle School

Heritage Grove Husky Pride Service Award: Mark Leber

Heritage Grove Husky Pride Service Award: Dana Diorio

Heritage Grove Husky Pride Service Award: Heather Drake

Heritage Grove Influential Educator Award: Matthew Bembenek

Heritage Grove Influential Educator Award: Jennifer Elliott

Heritage Grove Influential Educator Award: Kathy Gregory

Heritage Grove Influential Educator Award: Marc Campbell

Richard Ira Jones Middle School

Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Kathryn Intorp

Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Amy Jones

Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Kevin Marten

Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Chris Pavlich

Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Christy Sprangers

Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Jeff St. Yves

Eagle Pride Friend of Education Award: Patti Moore

Eagle Pride PTO Lifetime Award: Michelle Denney

Plainfield North High School

The Tiger Award: Debra Kane

The Tiger Award: Debbie Tjernagel

The Tiger Award: Vicki Ward

The Tiger Award: Marina Kosak

The Tiger Award: Ron Lear

The Tiger Award: Dr. John Thurmond

Volunteer of the Year: Alisha Zyburt

Volunteers of the Year: Chuck and Rae Ann Bennett

ORANGE HOUSE

Creekside Elementary School

Educator of the Year: Nicole LaBee

Educator of the Year: Allison Pharo

Lifetime Membership: Karen Urbanski

Service Scroll: Trisha Birch

Service Scroll: Jill Tonarelli

Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School

Volunteer of the Year: Kelly Melville

Volunteer of the Year: Kim Mason

Staff Member of the Year: Trevor Harris

Staff Member of the Year: Heather Meszaros

Lakewood Falls Elementary School

Educator of the Year Award: Vicky Foster

Educator of the Year Award Jonathan Karwacki

Outstanding Service Award: Kimberly Murray

Outstanding Service Award: Tyler Broders

PTA Appreciation Award: Maria Bradley

Liberty Elementary School

Classroom Teacher of the Year: Letty Peters

Classroom Teacher of the Year: Tom Southwood

Support Staff of the Year: Renee Moore

Volunteer of the Year: Shafer Suggs

John F. Kennedy Middle School

Role Model Award: John Evans

Role Model Award: AJ Hundal

PTA Lifetime Achievement Award: Becky Simonic

Educator Award: Lisa Figurell

Educator Award: Stacy Graham

Support Staff Award: Pam Spradau

Falcon Pride Award: Jennifer Archer

Plainfield East High School

Bengal Pride Award: Ken Holowczak

Bengal Pride Award: Kimberly Johnson

Bengal Pride Award: David Lesniak

Bengal Pride Award: Diane McCabe

Bengal Pride Award: Andrea Parsons

Bengal Pride Award: Barb Scieszka

Bengal Pride Award: Brett Simpson

GREEN HOUSE

Central Elementary School

Educator of the Year / Distinguished Educator: Katie Green

Staff Member of the Year / Distinguished Staff Member of the Year: Adam Ubben

Staff Member of the Year / Distinguished Staff Member of the Year: Shannon Edmonson

Distinguished Service Scroll: Jamie and Stuart Littell (of MoeJoe’s)

Volunteer of the Year/ Distinguished Volunteer: Krista Lakowski

Outstanding Male Role Model Award: Jim Emrath

Crystal Lawns Elementary School

Life Membership: April Marroquin

Life Membership: Sandra Lusk

Life Membership: Lynette Darnell

Grand Prairie Elementary School

Dedicated and Deserving Dad (D.A.D.D.) Award: D. J. Colantone

Dedicated, Interested, Concerned and Encouraging (D.I.C.E. Award): Kathy Woodin

Dedicated, Interested, Concerned and Encouraging (D.I.C.E. Award): Candace Watkins

PTO Life Membership: Pam Sinram

PTO Life Membership: Dena Berry

PTO Life Membership: Jenn Leone

River View Elementary School

PTO Life Membership: Danielle Schultz

PTO Life Membership: Tom Maher

PTO Life Membership: Edith Magana

PTO Life Membership: Anne Mudron-Querio

PTO Distinguished Service Scroll Award: Karen Fox

PTO Distinguished Service Scroll Award: Susan Fox

PTO Distinguished Service Scroll Award: Kim Mansfield

PTO Distinguished Service Scroll Award: Lora Roster

Indian Trail Middle School

Distinguished Male Influence Award: Samir Chaudhari

Distinguished Male Influence Award: Peter Sartori 

Distinguished Female Influence Award: Marjorie Lorenz

Support Staff of the Year Award: Shawn Goebel

Support Staff of the Year Award: Lisa Clanton

Volunteer of the Year Award: Gina Gentilini

Educator of the Year Award: Peter Sartori

Office Staff of the Year Award: Linda Bernhagen

Timber Ridge Middle School

Above and Beyond Classroom Dedication (A.B.C.D.) Award: Kelly Proffitt 

Above and Beyond Classroom Dedication (A.B.C.D.) Award: Yolanda Pulido 

Timber Wolf Pride Award: Lucy DiNovo

PTO Lifetime Award: Randi Winkler

Plainfield Central High School

PTSO Lifetime Achievement Award: Kristy Davey

Stephen P. Hunt Award: Kristine Weis

BLUE HOUSE

Charles Reed Elementary School

Achievement Award: Mrs. Kelly Hatzer

Achievement Award: Mrs. Jennifer Kostelz

Distinguished Service Scroll: Debbie Sihweil

Distinguished Service Scroll: Erika Plodzien

T.H.A.N.K.S. Award – To Honor and Notice Kindness and Service

T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: Lisa Melton

T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: Sylvie Kemp

T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: Portia Gallegos

T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: Allison Suchinski

T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: Chris McCluskey

T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: Sue Peterson

T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: Ms. Ashley Breen

T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: Ms. Jen Hennegan

D.A.D.D. – Dedicated and Deserving Dad Award

D.A.D.D. Award: Adam Borowski

D.A.D.D. Award: Joe Chaffee

D.A.D.D. Award: David Rock

Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom & Chris Domagala

Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom & Lori Mulcahy

Educator of the Year: Ms. Christine Wells

Meadow View Elementary School

Educator of the Year Award: Anthony Cozzi

Educator of the Year Award Kimmy Schuelke

Mustang Pride Award: Chuck Bennett

Outstanding Volunteer/PTO Support Award:

Tina Chopp-Pino

JoAnne Labiak

Deserving Dad Award: John Cavins, Kyle Hillery

Ridge Elementary School

PTO Contributor: Brigitte Bissing

Friend of Education: Mona Springer

Outstanding Father of the Year: Alvaro Gomez

Educator of the Year: Dara Karczewski

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

Educator of the Year: Karen Craig

Educator of the Year: Hillary Wieschhaus

Distinguished Staff Service Award: Chris Haas

Resource/Support Educator of the Year: Angie Blank

Amazing Mom Volunteer of the Year: Margaret Kantor

Dynamo Dad Volunteer of the Year: Tim Torkelson

Wesmere Elementary School

2011 PTO Award: Kara Pawlak

2011 PTO Award: Paul Cervelli

2011 PTO Award: Beth Smith

2011 PTO Award: Holly Held

2011 PTO Award: Jeanette L. Helfrich

2011 PTO Award: Katie Adelmann

2011 PTO Award: Lisa Apton

2011 PTO Award: Michelle Shields

Aux Sable Middle School

PTO Outstanding Educator Award: Roman Africa  

PTO Outstanding Educator Award: Candace Coppes

PTO Lifetime Achievement Award: Deb Garon

PTO Appreciation Award: Tess Daskas

PTO Distinguished Service Award: Joe Chaffee

PTO Educator of the Year: Kimberly Kimbrell

Drauden Point Middle School

PTO Lifetime Award: Dawn Kurylowicz

Panther Pride Staff Award: Julie Baum

Panther Pride Staff Award: Leigh Castle

Panther Pride Staff Award: Cindy Johnson

Plainfield South High School

Cougar Pride Award: Sandy Ballantine

Cougar Pride Award: Caroline Butler

Cougar Booster Lifetime Member Award: Michael and Kathryn Bachner