PORT ORCHARD — Two regional community leadership awards were handed out to a South Kitsap School District program and three volunteers last month by the Washington Association of School Administrators.
The ceremony for the Olympic Educational Service District 114 was held at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino and included representatives from each school district.
South Kitsap School District community member Erin Simon, along with Marcia Coyne and Melissa Pittenger of the READY! For Kindergarten program, were honored with the regional community leadership awards.
Simon has volunteered for the district for many years, school district spokeswoman Amy Miller said. She noted Simon’s involvement reaches all corners of the district, including grades kindergarten to 12th grade — from establishing the South Kitsap Superintendent PTSA Council, working with the district and Kitsap County to install a lighted crosswalk across Mullenix Road, and forming the district’s Watch Dogs program (Dads of Great Students), to name a few.
“Erin has been active serving on district task force committees, bringing her intellect and understanding to the process,” Miller said.
“She has served on the Innovative Programs Task Force and the Highly Capable Task Force, and spends countless hours fundraising from a variety of clubs and parent organizations, including Band Boosters and the high school’s senior class.
“In addition, she is always recognizing others by organizing staff appreciation events and honoring volunteers at board meetings.”
Karst Brandsma, the district’s superintendent, said Simon’s nomination introduction is just a sampling of her commitment and dedication to the school district.
“Erin’s contributions are significant and deeply appreciated,” Brandsma said. “It is hard to imagine a more dedicated, hardworking and thoughtful volunteer.”
South Kitsap School District is celebrating the 11th year of the READY! For Kindergarten program. READY!, Miller said, “embodies the belief that the quality of interactions and experiences a young person has creates a long-lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn.”
Through the leadership of Marcia Coyne and Melissa Pittenger, 9,158 families of children ages birth to 5 have received 90 minutes of learning fun and interactive ways to “play with a purpose” through research-based training, the district said.
Additionally, 2,589 children have participated in free childcare offered during the sessions. The district offers the READY! program three times a year to local families and early learning providers, as well as to district teen parents.
The two women speak to a variety of organizations about the importance of early childhood education. They also pursue partnerships, facilitators and volunteers to continue to grow the South Kitsap READY! For Kindergarten program.
“The young children of South Kitsap directly benefit from the time, passion and energy Marcia and Melissa put into making READY! For Kindergarten meaningful, accessible and successful in South Kitsap,” Brandsma said.
Soroptimist International award
In a boost to the READY! For Kindergarten program, Soroptimist International of Port Orchard awarded the South Kitsap School District’s program $1,500 in April.
“We are thrilled,” Pittenger said. “This will fully fund the READY! For Kindergarten teen parent program at Discovery Alternative High School for one year.”
