District 202’s CAPE parent group recognized outstanding parents, community members, teachers and staff members for their dedication to students, their schools and community at the 38th annual CAPE awards night on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Plainfield North High School.
CAPE is District 202’s committee for the Coordination of Administration and Parent groups for Educational efficiency. It serves as a “bridge” between district leadership and the parent groups for all 30 District 202 schools.
The group presented a special “Lifetime Award” to Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Harper, who is retiring in June 2014 after 33 years with District 202.
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Harper has served his entire career with the district, starting as a middle school social studies teacher in 1981 at Indian Trail Middle School. He has served the last 12 years as superintendent.
In 1990 he was appointed principal at Grand Prairie Elementary School. He had been in his new position only a few weeks when the infamous Plainfield tornado hit the area on August 28, 1990, destroying the high school, significantly damaging Grand Prairie and devastating the Plainfield-Joliet area.
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In 1996, Harper opened Timber Ridge Middle School as its first principal. Timber Ridge was the district’s first new school in 23 years – and led what would become 12 years of unprecedented, staggering growth in District 202.
He moved to the administrative center in 2000 as the assistant superintendent for administrative services, and was named Superintendent of Schools in 2002.
In his time as Superintendent, Dr. Harper:
- Opened 15 of the district’s 30 schools
- Saw the district’s student population more than double -- from 13,990 to 29,254
- Oversaw similar increases in staffing
- Implemented several major systemic changes including: the successful “House” feeder system re-structuring of the academic program to ensure academic continuity intra-level, and level to level; led the implementation of an innovative Diversity Initiative that sought, among other things to increase minority hiring to match changing student demographics.
CAPE presented its “2014 Honored Guest Award” to Aux Sable Middle School Principal Dr. Ed Boswell.
Boswell came to District 202 in 1999 as Dean of Students at Heritage Middle School. In 2004 he helped open Ira Jones Middle School as assistant principal.
He later served six years as principal before coming to the district office for one year in 2013 as the director for middle school administration.
Boswell returned to his first love – the school – this year when he took over the principal’s job at Aux Sable Middle School.
Among other achievements Boswell helped create the district's Bully Task Force, created the district’s first “bully hotline” and played a key role in getting the district's new lock down/panic button systems installed.
Boswell is also well known for his compassion for special education.
Finally, CAPE presented District 202 Board of Education Vice President Michelle Smith with the 2014 CAPE Award for her exceptional volunteerism and service to District 202.
Smith has served numerous community, school and district-level organizations ranging from elementary to high school parent groups, CAPE , the Foundation for Excellence and the Board of Education, among many others.
“While many people work hard and volunteer where their children are in the schools, the CAPE Award was meant to be an all-encompassing award and Michelle has demonstrated this in a variety of directions,” said District 202 Director of Technology Margie Bonuchi, who nominated Smith for the award.
Smith and her husband, Brian, also support many community charitable organizations and functions
“Michelle is the one person who will always answer the call to help out when needed and is always happy to work to improve the community and school district,” Bonuchi said.
“She is dedicated to making the school community and the Village of Plainfield a great place for her family and for others and she is truly worthy of this award.”
Overall, about 180 people were recognized for their service, including:
SPECIAL SCHOOL/PROGRAMS
Bonnie McBeth Learning Center
Friend of BMLC- Philana Nowak
Simply the Best- Tina Vasquez
Pride Award- Renee Tomas
Plainfield Academy & Turnabout Program
Award of Excellence- Mrs. Colleen Goldenberg
Award of Excellence- David Sidarous
Award of Excellence- Lana Evans
Award of Excellence- Mrs. Denise Worland
Special Education PTA
Service to Special Education - Cheril Phillips
Red House
Eagle Pointe Elementary School
Educator of the Year – Eva Lawrence
Friend of Education – Maria Koziel
Freedom Elementary School
Teacher of the Year - Nancy Trusk
Staff Member of the Year - Serena Heiser
Support Staff Member of the Year - Jacqueline Beatty-Hobbs
Volunteer of the Year - Audi DeLaPaz
Lincoln Elementary School
Distinguished Service Scroll- Paula Wrobel
Distinguished Service Scroll- Kim Nelson
Book of Recognition- Mary Kelly
Book of Recognition- Ebie Johnson
Life Membership Award- Danielle Ivins
Laura Fahrner Award- Tracy Scherry
Laura Fahrner Award- Andi Vanderhoek
Educator of the Year- Ashley Maro
Walker’s Grove Elementary School
Educator of the Year – Megan Goolsby
Educator of the Year – Karen Domabyl
Lifetime Volunteer – Sharon Lenning
Parent Volunteers of the Year – The Brown Family
Heritage Grove Middle School
Heritage Grove Husky Pride Award – Jennifer Shern
Heritage Grove Influential Educator – Jennifer Elliott
Heritage Grove Influential Educator – Scott Oldaker
Heritage Grove Influential Educator – Rose Simonelli
Richard Ira Jones Middle School
Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Haley Bork
Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Patti Moore
Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Amanda Piscitelli
Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Carrie Rogus
Eagle Pride Staff Appreciation Award: Jan Skeen
Eagle Pride Friend of Education Award: Kevin Hales
Eagle Pride PTO Lifetime Award: Leticia Tassone
Plainfield North High School
2014 Tiger Award - Rachyl Stephenson
2014 Tiger Award - Dana Rabulinski
2014 Tiger Award - Steven Pyter
2014 PTSO Award - Lisa Arteaga
Blue House
Charles Reed Elementary School
T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: To Honor and Notice Kindness
T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: Mr. Dave McCracken
T.H.A.N.K.S. Award- Mrs. Sidney Minnick
T.H.A.N.K.S. Award- Mrs. Cheryl Czyzewicz
T.H.A.N.K.S. Award- Ms. Katie Michaelsen
T.H.A.N.K.S. Award- Mrs. Laura Oliver
D.A.D.D. Award Dedicated and Deserving Dad Award
Achievement Award- Mr. Joe Lindsey
Achievement Award- Diane Allen
Distinguished Service Scroll- Mrs. Yesenia Ibarra
Distinguished Service Scroll- Mrs. Portia Gallegos
Educator of the Year- Mr. Steve Schultz
PTA Lifetime Achievement Award- Dawn Sodt
Meadow View Elementary School
Educator of the Year 2013- 2014 - Lindsey Pilmer
Educator of the Year 2013 – 2014- Mary Sue Larson
Deserving Dad Award 2013 – 2014- Joseph Kozar
Deserving Dad Award 2013 – 2014- Ray Garner
Anna Rivera – Mustang Pride Award 2013 – 2014 Meadow View Elementary
Michelle Burnett – Mustang Pride Award 2013 – 2014 Meadow View Elementary
Anna Assaf – Outstanding Volunteer/PTO Support Award 2013 – 2014 Meadow View
Lora Horvath - Outstanding Volunteer/PTO Support Award 2013–2014 Meadow View
Chuck Bennett – Honorary CAPE award name change to “The Mr. Chuck Mustang Pride Award”
Ridge Elementary School
Outstanding PTO contributer- Amy Abrew
Outstanding PTO contributer-Linda Mireles
Educator of the Year- Sandi Reader
Friend of Education- Janet O’Leary
Outstanding Father of the Year- James Gerdich
Thomas Jefferson
Educator of the Year- James Houston
Resource/Support Educator of the Year- Nicole Sourek
Distinguished Staff Service- Cheryl Tutt
“Magnificent Mom” Volunteer of the Year- Audra Marino
“Dynamo Dad” Volunteer of the Year: Fred Brandt
Wesmere Elementary School
Marc Hanouw- Community Partner of the Year
Community Partner of Wesmere- Corey Hromek
Educator of the Year- Tracy Hood
Educator of the Year- Jeanne Wlodarski
Support Staff of the Year- Akninder “Bindy” McDowell
Volunteer of the Year- Ed McVay
Volunteer of the Year- Mary Nichols
Volunteer of the Year- Mindy Scaglione
Aux Sable Middle School
T.H.A.N.K.S. Award: To Honor and Notice Kindness
- The 2013-2014 PTO Board
o Debbie Sihweil, President
o Laura Rock, Co Vice President
o Steve Cammack, Co Vice President
o Melissa Jung, Secretary
o Sandra Cabrera, Treasurer
Bulldog Pride Appreciation Award-Mr. Alfonso Lopez
Bulldog Pride Appreciation Award- Mrs. Laura Niznik
Bulldog Pride Appreciation Award: Jacqualyn Seeman
Bulldog Pride Appreciation Award: Mrs. Candace Coppes
Bulldog Pride Appreciation Award- Mr. Brennan Rooney
Bulldog Family Service Award- Mr. Jim Kubinski
Educator of the Year: Mrs. Carrie Offerman
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mrs. Sue Raslowsky
Drauden Point Middle School
Panther Pride Staff Appreciation Award Winners
Tim Placher
Audrey Sapp
Linda Soriano
Panther Program Award Winner:
Miriam Neugebauer-
PTO Lifetime Achievement Award Winner- Wendy Krutulis
Plainfield South High School
Cougar Pride Award- Mary Mendoza
Cougar Pride Award- Karen Hahn
Cougar Pride Award- Heather Viall
Cougar Pride Award- Maureen Miller
Cougar Pride Award- Bob Yanello
Green House
Central Elementary School
Distinguished Service Scroll- Kathy Papesh
Staff Member of the Year- Rich Charnicky
Volunteer of the Year- Dianne Rutherford
Educator of the Year- Nicole Staffacher
Educator of the Year- Nicole Trachsel
Outstanding Male Role Model- Jim Woltman
Crystal Lawns Elementary School
Distinguished Scroll Award- Ann Barnoski
Life Membership Award- Rachiel Buerger
Life membership Award- Laura Dvorak
Grand Prairie Elementary School
D.I.C.E. Award- Liz Vargocko
D.I.C.E. Award- Lynaris Colon
D.I.C.E. Award- Laura Klima
D.I.C.E. Award- Paula Wrobel
Wildcat Award- Lynn Cihlar
Wildcat Award – Carol Luthanon
D.A.D.D. Award – Paul Cavenaile
PTO Lifetime Award – Ann Brooks
PTO Lifetime Award – Betsey Vinson
River View Elementary School
PTO Life Membership Award – Bob Dockendorf
PTO Life Membership Award – Michelle Delgado
PTO Life Membership Award – Amber McKenna
PTO Life Membership Award – Cheryl Pieper
PTO Distinguished Service Scroll Award – Marysue Lessner
PTO Distinguished Service Scroll Award – Jodi Oliver
PTO Distinguished Service Scroll Award – Dawn Bjorklund
Indian Trail Middle School
Office Staff Person of the Year – Diana Luciano
Distinguished Female Teacher of the Year – Jessica Pierce
Distinguished Math Teacher of the Year – Eric Boe
Educator of the Year – Melissa Aubuchon
Support Staff/Volunteer of the Year – Lisa Bischoff
Indian Trail Middle School Spirit Award – Laurie Davidson
Timber Ridge Middle School
ABCD Award – Susan Behun
Life Time PTO Award - Paulette Hanton-Brooks
Timber Wolf Pride Award - Karen Chearo
ABCD Award - Katelyn Fuchs
Plainfield Central High School
PTSO Award – Karen Hamilton
Stephen Hunt Award – Bridget Taylor
Stephen Hunt Award – Judy Link
Stephen Hunt Award – Benjamin Nugent
Orange House
Creekside Elementary School
PTA Lifetime Membership Award: Cindy Maki
PTA Service Scroll Award: Beatrice Milano
Creekside Cheetah Award: Polly Opiola
Educator Appreciation Award: Donna Spillie
Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School
Amanda Adducci-4th grade teacher
Anne Savickas-nurse
Bess Eichelberger Elementary Volunteer Award:
- Amy Draper-principal secretary
- Dwight R. Diercks
- Eileen Diercks
Lakewood Falls Elementary School
Educator of the Year Award: Judith Justis
Educator of the Year: Becky Keefner
Outstanding Service: Randy Douglas
Outstanding Service: Jonathan Karwacki
Outstanding Service: Eulalia Hernandez
Dedicated Service: Cindy Gallick, RN
PTA Appreciation Award: Kendra Weaver
PTA Appreciation Award: Assunta Goldman
PTA Appreciation Award: Steve Goldman
Liberty Elementary School
Teacher of the Year: Carla Brinker
Support Staff of the Year: Alyson Angeloni
Parent Volunteer of the Year: Jackie Riaz
John F. Kennedy Middle School
Support Staff Award- Marianne Miller
PTA Lifetime Award Recipient-Caitlin Tremble
Role Model Award-Justin Greene
PTA Educator Award- Stacey Christos
Falcon SPIRIT Award
Plainfield East High School
Jackie Bowbin-Stump
Toni Campagna
Ken Connor
Elaine Diveley
Rhonda Hendrickson
Brian Gier
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