Asbury & Walt Whitman Elementary 2012 Partner of the Year Award
N
ominations were accepted early in the year for Tulsa Metro Chamber and Tulsa Public Schools "Partners in Education" recognition awards.
Individuals, businesses, community and religious organizations that have contributed to the success of TPS students were eligible for nominations.
Teachers at Grove
Asbury United Methodist Church and Grove Elementary by Kim Berns
W
hen teachers and staff from Grove Elementary returned to school August 16, there were smiles all around when each and every teacher was surprised with a “back to school” gift bag from Asbury. Each teacher’s gift was personalized for his or her grade level and contained all the kinds of things teachers use in their classrooms: primary teachers found colorful pipe cleaners, stickers and play dough; upper grade teachers discovered colorful card stock, markers and highlighter pens. Kim Berns and Andrea McMains, principal and first grade teacher from Grove, watched the celebration as Vacation Bible School came to a close and everyone celebrated the week’s donations by dunking their teachers (what good sports!). Throughout the school year, Asbury donates Birthday Blessings bags to students who may not otherwise have a birthday celebration at home. While the contents of the blessings bags may seem ordinary to many people, for a family experiencing an economic hardship, they can make a birthday a special event. Having everything you need for a family birthday party (including fun birthday plates) is such a great way to make a child feel special. Grove Elementary is one of several elementary schools in Tulsa County participating in the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program through the Community Food Bank. Each Friday, small bags of non-perishable food are sent home with children who may need just a few snacks to get through the weekend. Students who are on the ‘backpack program” need to be greeted by caring, reliable people who will preserve their dignity and privacy while providing snacks and smiles. Asbury United Methodist Church provided two such volunteers, and we don’t know what we would do without them. Abby Sluice and Heather Lovell were here week after week, organizing the food and distributing it to the children. The smiles on the faces of the children were priceless when these ladies arrived in the doorways of the classrooms. Their positive outlook and kind words always sent home as much nourishment as the food in the backpacks!
The award categories included: Chittom Challenge Award, Outstanding Small Business Partner, Award for Excellence, Champions Award, Dedicated Partnership Award, Outstanding District Partner, Outstanding Faith-Based Partner Award, Valuable Investment Award, Principal of Excellence Award and Partner of the Year. Partner of the Year was given to a business or organization that exemplified characteristics of all above awards, providing continuing support and assistance to all schools, businesses, organizations and communities that participate in the Partners in Education program. Barbie Paige on behalf of Asbury United Methodist Church and volunteers humbly accepted the "Partner of the Year" award at a ceremony held at the Renaissance hotel on May 9, 2012. “Asbury has done so much for Whitman this year. They have been supportive and involved for the past eight years. We started with three volunteers and have grown to 93. There is not a single day that Asbury volunteers are not in our building. We love them. We have become friends. They have loved our staff and children. A true partnership. We are so blessed and proud to have Asbury United Methodist Church as our partner. Our children, community, parents and staff have grown and greatly benefited from our partnership. They are there for us.”
We look forward to continuing our partnership with Asbury; the positive attitudes and kindnesses extended to our staff and students have been wonderful.
TIDINGS, OC TOBER 2 012
–Elaine Buxton Principal, Walt Whitman Elementary
21