Running to Remember
By Amanda Woods
Photos by Erma Huston
On a sunny Thursday morning before the Easter weekend, 1,000 middle school students and faculty came together to run in memory of a friend, colleague and teacher, Gerri Hickman. She was a nutrition teacher in the Middle School for eight years, four of which were spent battling breast cancer. In April 2005, Hickman lost her battle, and since that time, the middle school has come together each year to honor her memory and raise awareness for the fight against cancer. In the week leading up to the run, grade 7 and 8 international cooking students baked and sold bread to raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation. Together with a donation from Joe Hickman, the Middle School donated $1,500. to the foundation! As in years past, Joe Hickman attended the run to pay tribute to his wife’s memory and act as the official starter. He reminded all students and faculty to tell their mothers, sisters, daughters and friends to see their doctors for early screening. After sharing this message, Peter Cuthbert led all students in a dynamic warm-up; students in pink tops and aprons lined up by grade level and waited for the official start signal. The eighth graders led the way around the two kilometer course, cheered on by faculty and parents. This year, each student wore an “I’m running for….” sticker as a visual reminder that virtually every one of us has been affected by cancer. Many students noted that they were “running for a cure” to remind us that continued awareness is needed.
Housekeepers get bonuses, awards for exemplary service
By Jamie Alarcon
Photo by ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster, the SAS custodial contractor, awarded 46 contracted housekeepers and custodians with performance bonuses in recognition of their positive contributions to the school and to the well being of SAS students. In addition to the bonuses, a number of individuals were recognized for their many years of service. A number of employees have been with SAS since the Woodlands campus first opened in 1996. Others received awards for their safe work practices, vigilance and honesty in helping reunite students with misplaced belongings. Dr. Brent Mutsch, SAS Superintendent, and Anthony Wong, Director of Facilities and Services, joined the honorees for lunch in the High School cafeteria on Saturday, March 20 and thanked them for maintaining a clean and healthy environment conducive to learning and teaching. “It takes a village to raise a child,” Dr. Mutsch reminded them, “and you are an important part of the SAS village.” Mutsch and Wong also commended the employees for their phenomenal safety record—zero accidents over the past five years. ServiceMaster has been with SAS for 14 years. It provides a wide range of housekeeping, grounds keeping, landscaping and other services and has won numerous industry awards.
SAS NewsFlash – May 2010
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