SMMPTA Council Honorary Service Awards & Installation

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Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs

Honorary Service Awards & Installation

2019 - 2020

The Honorary Service Awards (HSAs) are awarded each year and are a unique way for PTA units, councils and districts to publicly acknowledge both individuals and organizations for outstanding service to children and youth in a community. Contributions to the Honorary Service Award Program enables the California State PTA to provide scholarships for students and individuals to further their education, as well as grants for schools, councils and districts.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs Congratulates the

Council Honorary Service Award Recipients 2019 - 2020

Fairmont Miramar Hotel ~ Community Partner Award

The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows/MSD Partners has been an exceptional partner for our public schools through its support of the Education Foundation. Over the past seven years, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows/MSD Partners has donated a total of $110,000 in cash contributions for our students, in addition to generously hosting and underwriting the Ed Foundation’s annual Santa Monica Wine Auction fundraiser.

The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows/MSD Partners are proud to help ensure that all our public-school students have access to an outstanding education. One of their core values is the commitment to being actively involved in our community. Through their continued partnership with the Ed Foundation, they help keep our local schools strong, benefiting students and everyone who lives and works here.

Classroom Teachers, Food Services Staff & Educational Technology Services ~ Honorary Service Award

These three SMMUSD departments are gratefully recognized for their valiant efforts and work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Our classroom teachers were thrown into the distance learning world due to the Covid-19 pandemic and were asked to quickly relearn to teach effectively using this modality. Our teachers have gone above and beyond to ensure a connection with their students. They have had virtual office hours, classroom sessions, and one on one virtual meetings as well as recorded lessons for their students.

Our EdTech team set up a distance learning hub so that teachers can access up-to-date resources, training materials, and information. They also held live webinars to train teachers on ed tech tools that support synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning. Our IT team established remote support for teachers and students needing help with software and hardware tools. Additionally, they set up and distributed Chromebooks and hotspots to students and staff to ensure continuity of learning.

When the pandemic closed the doors to our schools, our cafeterias and our food kiosks, the food services staff mobilized quickly to continue to provide food for families in need. They have shown dedication and fortitude in their commitment to performing this critical job. They have put themselves in harm's way by being available on the front lines to serve food to our school communities.

Joanne Leavitt ( February 1940 - December 2019) ~ Very Special Person Award

Joanne Bonner Leavitt was an effective and inspiring community organizer and activist for 41 years. The mother of two sons, Thomas and Greg, who attended Edison Elementary, Joanne served in elected positions on the Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council for twenty years, from 1979-1999, including a term as President from 1986-1988. As President, Joanne set up our Summer Adventure program in 1987; the very first summer session served 240 children (with 100 children on the waiting list). They planned for 400 children the following year. The Council Secretary's minutes from 1987 tell us "Our President, Joanne Leavitt must have given a 1,000 hours of her time in preparation of the opening." Summer Adventure continues to provide enrichment to District children, this year serving 993 students in elementary and middle school.

Among many accomplishments, Joanne helped save Edison Elementary from being closed in the early 1980s, then led the process by which it became a nationally recognized model for bilingual immersion education. She helped preserve that status by assisting in the school's conversion to a charter after the passage of Proposition 187 (which otherwise banned bilingual instruction in California public schools) in 1994. Joanne also served on the Virginia Avenue Park Advisory board from 1985-2014; during this time the park was completely redesigned and rebuilt and the first branch library in the neighborhood was established. Her passion for affordable housing and early childhood education led her to also serve as a board member of Community Corporation of Santa Monica, a non-profit affordable housing builder, from 1991-2019 and on the City of Santa Monica's Child Care and Early Education Task Force from 1986-2019.

Joanne also played a crucial role in the passage of numerous local school parcel tax and bond initiatives over the past few decades, using her broad array of connections to build community-wide consensus in support of funding our local schools. For the last 30 years of her life, her primary vehicle for community engagement was the League of Women Voters, where she served as President of the Santa Monica branch (twice, from 2002-2004), on the Los Angeles county-wide board from 1993-2004, and in a wide variety of other high profile roles and committee chair positions up until her death.

Joanne's son Thomas tells us that her true, living legacy is “thousands upon thousands of safer, healthier, happier, more accomplished children, in Santa Monica and beyond, busily making the world a better place themselves." In recognition of outstanding service to children and youth, throughout her lifetime, we honor her memory with a Very Special Person Award. In addition, Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council is making a significant donation toward children’s books for Joanne's Libraries, located at Community Corp buildings, in her honor.

Shireen Rafat ~ Honorary Service Award

Both a career woman and a career volunteer, Shireen demonstrates a sense of balance and grace. She has mastered the art of being a reliable, steadfast, and measured but passionate advocate. She works hard in support of efforts throughout our district to provide meaningful opportunities for students - from running fundraising campaigns and organizing events, to her key roles over the years in helping facilitate clearer communication between parents, PTAs and schools.

In her pursuit of excellence, Shireen seeks to learn from those who came before her, takes that and builds upon it, and looks for ways to make great things even better - a sign of wisdom and leadership. She puts her energy into filling gaps, dreaming big for our students, and being truly helpful and making her support impactful.

Shireen has been part of PTA for 13 years. She is always eager to step up and help wherever she is needed. She does not shy away from taking on big jobs and giving them her all to benefit our students. She brought back the silent auction at Will Rogers which became and continues to be such a great event. She was the energetic force that ran the annual giving fund at JAMS during her tenure there. At Samohi, she worked tirelessly with the mini grants committee and is leaving a lasting legacy with the Now that I’m 18 program for seniors. At PTA Council she has been in positions such as VP of Organization, VP of Communications, has resurrected and put together the Council Directory, helps maintain our Council Facebook page with information for parents, and has created all our program books for Council events in the last few years.

Claudia Seizer ~ Honorary Service Award

Claudia Seizer has taken on multiple leadership positions at Will Rogers, JAMS, Samohi and PTA Council over the last 15 years. She has served on multiple Site Councils and held executive board positions at different school PTAs since starting with the District. These executive board positions have included PTA President at Will Rogers and JAMS. Claudia has served on PTA Council for over 10 years. Some of the PTA Council positions she has held include Communications Chair, Recording Secretary, Executive Vice President and finally, President for the past 2 years.

Throughout her 15 years at the District, Claudia has enthusiastically volunteered and supported our schools by taking responsibility for tasks and completing them fully, often stepping up to the plate to take on unpopular or complex jobs. She is skilled at working within a team, mentoring others and spearheading projects. She has the ability to see the big picture and articulate it to others while at the same time being able to focus on the details of the task at hand. In the many different positions that she has held at the school sites and the PTA Council, Claudia has effectively used her voice to be a strong advocate for students and families.

Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein ~ Honorary Service Award

Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Board of Education Vice-President likes pushing boundaries, and surprising people. He is a respected academic and an innovative forward-thinker, who also sports some badass tattoos and has spent a great deal of time both on boats and at the ballet. He is a loyal spouse and engaged parent. A cancer survivor. A beloved educator. A caring friend.

During this momentous time, when social justice and change is at the forefront of the conversation, Richard’s lifelong history of volunteerism has been grounded in a fierce passion for that very cause.

In his own words: “I believed that, in [becoming an educator], I would be participating in a noble effort to end inequality and inequity in our society." Our award recipient is committed to both closing the achievement gap in our schools largely caused by these societal inequities, and aligning with ever-evolving academic and pedagogical approaches for an ever-changing civic society. To that end, Richard has worked with the Board of Education and Superintendent to adopt and implement Social Justice Learning Standards, and to engage all personnel in anti-bias training. He has worked to establish an American Cultures and Ethnic Studies graduation requirement, to ensure that all students within our district are exposed to that curriculum, and to the depth of knowledge and perspective it brings.

Richard has been the leading voice for ensuring that our district curriculum and reading choices include and give voice to the rights and struggles of the LGBTQ community. And Richard led the Board in naming the campus at Lincoln and Ocean Park for Michelle and Barack Obama, because he felt so strongly that we owed it to our community to recognize African-American and female leaders who stand for social justice and equity.

It might be difficult to distinguish the place where Richard’s professional responsibilities end and his volunteerism begins. This is because his life is devoted to doing good, to listening, to showing empathy, to educating young people, and to moving forward toward progress. His professional life aligns with his volunteer passions; and our students and our schools are the beneficiaries. His vision of inclusion, acceptance and innovation connects, challenges and inspires us all.

Joan Krenik ~ Continuing Service Award

Joan Krenik has served the PTA in many capacities including as President at Will Rogers, JAMS and Samohi. She has represented the concerns of our district’s two communities, organized volunteers and kept them happy, soothed upset parents, provided hope to administrators, worked on campus beautification, sewed theatre costumes and created props, and served as Assistant Producer with JAMS Theatre Company and Producer for the last three years at Samohi Theatre. She breaks down a budget, provides strategic input to site governance committees at elementary, middle and high schools, has taken part in the leadership of local funding measures, shows appreciation in the kindest of ways, and looks amazing doing all of the above.

Joan has also taken part in all the acronym committees SBAC, FOC, SC, headed the Beautification Committee at all schools, and most recently found a way to distribute over a thousand lawn signs to honor and celebrate the class of 2020. On Council she has been VP of Organization, VP of Community Concerns, VP of Health and Safety and has been Corresponding Secretary; she has also served as a site President for six years. Joan has been a three time recipient of the Golden Oak Award, the most prestigious of the PTA HSA awards.

The SMMPTA congratulates

the School Association recipients of

the Outstanding Teacher Award

2019 - 2020

The Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes a teacher for outstanding

service to children and youth through PTA, school, or community.

Edison Language Academy

Sylvia Jimenez

Franklin Elementary

Jennifer Brossoit

Steve Cannell

Teri Hakomori

Dawn Silhavy

John Adams Middle School

Paul Karaiakoubian

Lincoln Middle School

Kate Pomatti

Malibu Middle & High School*

Diana Martinez

Alex Mayle

Mike Mulligan

Sara Ryan

Audrey Scoffie

Dr. Maia Zander

Webster Elementary

Amy Stark

*Award Recipients for 2018 - 2019

The SMMPTA congratulates

the School Association recipients of

the Outstanding Administrator Award

2019 - 2020

The Outstanding Administrator Award recognizes an administrator

for outstanding service to children and

youth through PTA, school, or community.

Edison Language Academy

Yoly Gutierrez

Lori Orum

Franklin Elementary

Sheri Hynding

Cynthia McGregory

John Adams Middle School

Martha Chacon

Will Rogers Learning Community

Ryan Bourke

The SMMPTA congratulates

the School Association recipients of

the Very Special Person Award

2019 - 2020

The Very Special Person Award recognizes

individuals for their service to PTA.

Edison Language Academy

Ursula Burton

Duane Harvey

Thea Harvey

Darin Henry

David Kane

Sarah Portnoy

Franklin Elementary

Anvar Alimov

Grant Elementary

Aida Abdella

Lynn Gephart

Amanda Harris

Jim Harris

Dryden Helgoe

Tracy Lewis

Debi Lyons-Fernandes

Victoria Morrow

Colleen Stoll

Lincoln Middle School

Jace Bandy

Sarah Blitz

Dave Gaeta

Lisa Goedecke

Mike Goedecke

Elizabeth Hartson

Jody Howard

Leann Levine

Lydia Muraro

Marianna O'Brien

Marlene Ramos

Ian Rowe

Malibu Middle & High School*

Alex Aspron

Pinar Taylan

McKinley Elementary

Floresita Arcari

Nick Bhatt

Maria Blas

Kristin Greeley

Chaltu Hunde

Nenad Pervan

Webster Elementary

Catherine Brickman

Zoe Shapiro

Mia Skelton

*Award Recipients for 2018 - 2019

The SMMPTA congratulates

the School Association recipients of

the Honorary Service Award

2019 - 2020

The Honorary Service Award recognizes outstanding service to

children or youth, going above and beyond what is asked.

Edison Language Academy

Chiara Arroyo

Essie Blankson-Turner

Rebecca DiMundo

Mick Pacifici

Stefani Tovar

Carolina Vila

Carlos Villegas

Franklin Elementary

Rebecca Campbell

Jainee Eccleston

Suzanne Hendler Goldman

Kimberly Lancaster

Charlee Nessell

Johanna Tobel

Shilpa Wali

Grant Elementary

Katherine Harris

Caroline Murphy

Sarah Warrender

John Adams Middle School

Jennifer Brockett

Jennifer Cook-Ortiz

Susan Gates

Marisela Herrera

Molly White

Lincoln Middle School

Sarah Barrett

Gabrielle Cohen

So Yung Gaeta

Area Kramarsky

Diana Oliver

Jennifer Smith

Patti Zortman

Malibu Middle & High School*

Cheli Nye

Beth Papp

Luke Sferra

Angela Thacker

McKinley Elementary

Keri Hicks

Deborah Novak

Brigita Slekys

McKinley Elementary School Faculty & Staff

Roosevelt Elementary

Laura Buhl

Constance Lopez

Neusha Mavaddat

Erin Rusler

Robbie Sikora

Leslie Tucker

Letta Wickam

Santa Monica High School

Maurice Maxwell

Webster Elementary

Tatiana Jacobs

Malibu Special Education Foundation

Will Rogers Learning Community

Cathy Brough

Susie DeLava

Daisy Mercado

Ana Rosa Santiago

Michael Scott

*Award Recipients for 2018 - 2019

The SMMPTA congratulates

the School Association recipients of

the Continuing Service Award

2019 - 2020

The Continuing Service Award recognizes individuals for ongoing or

longtime service to children and youth, providing support year after year.

Franklin Elementary

Jeanna Beck

Virginia DeVaul

Malibu Middle & High School*

Gardia Fox

Audra Hotchkiss

Gina Odean

Roosevelt Elementary

Erin Neumeyer

Santa Monica High School

Jeff Jarow

Claudia Seizer

Webster Elementary

Jessie Muchmore

Will Rogers Learning Community

Sharon Cunningham

Wendy Jaffa

*Award Recipients for 2018 - 2019

The SMMPTA congratulates

the School Association recipients of

the Golden Oak Award

2019 - 2020

The Golden Oak Award, the most prestigious of the PTA

Honorary Service Awards, is given to individuals who have

made significant contributions to the

welfare of children or youth in school or the community.

Franklin Elementary

Kristina Schauer

Grant Elementary

Alison Havel

Lincoln Middle School

John Obusek

Malibu Middle & High School*

Melanie Goudzwaard

Mindy Peterson

McKinley Elementary

Stephan Corbel

Santa Monica High School

Joan Krenik

Shireen Rafat

Webster Elementary*

Karin Al-Hardan

Will Rogers Learning Community

Stefanie Schlepp

*Award Recipients for 2018 - 2019

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The SMMPTA Council thanks

the 2019 - 2020 Unit PTA Presidents

Edison Language Academy...............................................................................Adrienne Tranel

Franklin Elementary School..........................................................................Katherine Rosenfeld

Grant Elementary.......................................................................................................Lindsay Traill

John Adams Middle School....................................................................................Elyse Bennett

John Muir Elementary...........................................................................Sylvia Mendoza-Johnson

Lincoln Middle School........................................................................................Rebecca Walker

Malibu Elementary School….............................................................….......……....Lara Godbille

Malibu Middle & High School………..…..............................................................…..Alex Aspron

McKinley Elementary School……..…......................................................................Juana Lomeli

Roosevelt Elementary School……................................................................…Thea Cappiccille

Santa Monica High School.......................................................................................Nicole Faries

Santa Monica Alternative School House....................................................................Kim Turner

Webster Elementary School................................................................................Karin Al-Hardan

Will Rogers Learning Community..................................................................... Stefanie Schlepp

The SMMPTA Council welcomes

the 2020 - 2021 Unit PTA Presidents

Edison Language Academy……….…............................................……………Elizabeth Garcia

Franklin Elementary School......................................................................................Jane Schmitz

Grant Elementary.............................................................................................................Erika Bell

John Adams Middle School..............................................................................Stefanie Schlepp

John Muir Elementary............................................................................................Scout Campos

Lincoln Middle School.....................................................................................Teague Weybright

Malibu Elementary School………..................................................…………...…Jennifer Pappas

Malibu Middle & High School………..............................................……………………Caren Leib

McKinley Elementary School……….................................................…….............Jodi Redmond

Roosevelt Elementary School………..............................................……....……Thea Cappiccille

Santa Monica High School.......................................................................................Nicole Faries

Santa Monica Alternative School House....................................................Armando Gonzalez

Webster Elementary School……………….................................................……..Heather Campi

Will Rogers Learning Community.......................................................................Ana Evangelista

The SMMPTA Council thanks

The Council Officers 2019 - 2020

President..................................................................................................................Claudia Seizer

Executive Vice President...................................................................................Gabrielle Cohen

Vice President Communications............................................................................Shireen Rafat

Vice President Organization..................................................................................Lana Negrete

Vice President Health and Safety...................................................................Lupe Ibarra Smith

Vice President Education.............................................................................................Nancy Wu

Vice President Community Concerns........................................................................Patti Braun

Recording Secretary.......................................................................................................Mimi Tran

Corresponding Secretary…………..................................................……………...…..Joan Krenik

Treasurer....................................................................................................................Kate Winegar

Financial Secretary....................................................................................................Diana Oliver

Auditor..............................................................................................................Teague Weybright

Historian................................................................................................................Julie Pearl Slater

Parliamentarian………………………...................................................……......…….…..Cat Wray

SMMUSD Superintendent…………....................................................………....……..Dr. Ben Drati

The Council Committee Chairs 2019 - 2020

Hospitality Chair.................................................................................Katherine Caulfield Newall

Leadership Chair........................................................................................................Erin Inatsugu

Legislation Committee Chair....................................................................................Sabine Werk

Membership Chair……………………………………........................................….….John Jericiau

Reflections Chair............................................................................................................April Fields

Summer Adventure Chair....................................................................................Area Kramarsky

Allied Organization Liaisons to Council 2019 – 2020

District English Learners Advisory Committee................................................Lupe Ibarra-Smith

Board of Education.......................................................................................Jon Kean, President

Board of Education…........................................Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Vice President

SM-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association.............................................................Sarah Braff

Classified Employees (SEIU).......................................................................................Keryl Cartee

City of Malibu...............................................................................................................Skylar Peak

City of Santa Monica......................................................................................................Julie Rusk

Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation................................................Linda Greenberg

Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation..................................................Rachel Faulkner

League of Women Voters of Santa Monica..................................................Barbara Inatsugu

Community for Excellent Public Schools....................................................................Shari Davis

Santa Monica College...............................................................................................Louise Jaffe

Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce...................................................................Gail Pinsker

Early Childhood Task Force………………………........................................……….……Ben Swett

Council Support 2019 – 2020

President Emeritus....................................................................................................Jennifer Smith

Legislation Committee Consultant..................................................................Barbara Inatsugu

Communications Committee IT...................................................................Maryanne Solomon

The SMMPTA Council welcomes

The Incoming Council Officers 2020 - 2021

President..............................................................................................................Gabrielle Cohen

Executive Vice President................................................................................................Cat Wray

Vice President Communications.............................................................................Erin Inatsugu

Vice President Organization............................................................Katherine Caulfield Newall

Vice President Health and Safety...............................................................................Nancy Wu

Vice President Education.........................................................................................Sabine Werk

Vice President Community Concerns........................................................................Patti Braun

Recording Secretary..................................................................................................Leslie Tucker

Corresponding Secretary……………….......................................….…………To Be Determined

Treasurer................................................................................................................Karen Arrigo Hill

Financial Secretary..............................................................................................Rebecca Terlizzi

Auditor.........................................................................................................................Diana Oliver

Historian................................................................................................................Julie Pearl Slater

Parliamentarian……………………........................................……..……..……. To Be Determined

SMMUSD Superintendent…………........................................…………..…...………..Dr. Ben Drati

The Incoming Council Committee Chairs 2020 - 2021

Hospitality Chair.......................................................................................................Lana Negrete

Leadership Chair.....................................................................................................Claudia Seizer

Legislation Committee Chair..........................................................................To Be Determined

Membership Chair……………………….......................................…………..……Area Kramarsky

Reflections Chair............................................................................................................April Fields

Summer Adventure Chair........................................................................................John Jericiau

Allied Organization Liaisons to Council 2020 - 2021

District English Learners Advisory Committee................................................Lupe Ibarra-Smith

Board of Education.......................................................................................Jon Kean, President

Board of Education…........................................Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Vice President

SM-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association.............................................................Sarah Braff

Classified Employees (SEIU).........................................................................................Chris Mock