The Syracuse City School District Educational Foundation hosted it’s 15th Annual Recognition Breakfast on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the Holiday Inn Liverpool. Each year, the SCSD Educational Foundation recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations that have given above and beyond in providing support to teachers, students, and programs in the Syracuse City School District. These awards are presented at the Foundation’s annual fundraising breakfast.
In 2018, the Foundation presented a Recognition Award to POMCO (now UMR/UnitedHealthcare), for their long history of providing services and volunteering staff time and resources to support students, teachers, and programs in the Syracuse City School District. The firm has been dedicated to the communities it serves and has been proud to offer support in a variety of ways. The company has aligned itself with organizations and events that: emphasize community-building; support the uplifting of children; and promote the importance of education. Their team takes great pride in offering their time, energy, and resources to help make a difference locally and globally. Whether it’s the environment, individual wellness, or charitable giving, they support their employees’ efforts. Senior Vice President, Don Napier joined the Educational Foundation Board in 2011, and served on the Board for six years. He has also been an enthusiastic and engaged member of the Foundation Grants Committee, and continues to serve on the committee, reviewing project applications and providing his support and input for the distribution of funds for exceptional learning opportunities and projects in Syracuse City Schools. David Price, UMR Risk Management, accepted the award on behalf of POMCO/UMR/UHC and Don Napier
In addition, the Foundation presented a Recognition Award to the Carrier Corporation. The employees of Carrier adopted Seymour Dual Language Academy in 1989. Since that time a strong and very rewarding relationship has developed between the many Carrier volunteers and the Seymour students and faculty. Regular visits to the school to help out with a variety of routine tasks and hosting of several special events during the years have provided many opportunities for Carrier employees to experience the joy of sharing their time and talents in helping our community’s young students. In addition, Carrier has supported STEM programs in the Syracuse City School District. Carrier began supporting the District’s annual Soap Box Derby Competition in 2012 and continued through 2016. The annual program provides hands on learning about math, science, engineering and teamwork as students in ages from 8-18 from predominantly city schools (such as Danforth and Henninger) build derby cars and competed at regional and national competitions. In 2017, Carrier supported the SCSD Education Foundation Grant Program by supporting a Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration STEM project at Nottingham High School. The project conducts a series of inquiry-driven student investigations into the mechanisms and interdependence of animals and plants through the ongoing processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Lou Anne Mann, Specialist, Public Relations & Communications, will be accepting this award on behalf of Carrier.
In addition, the Educational Foundation, in cooperation with the Syracuse City School District, is proud to recognize men and women who help to ensure educational excellence in the School District. Each year, the Foundation recognizes two teachers, one administrator, and one support staff member. To be eligible, an Educator of the Year candidate must be a full-time staff member and they can be nominated by colleagues/peers, students, parents, or community organizations. Key factors that are considered in the selection process are the individual’s unique abilities that make them outstanding among their peers. Winners of these awards are individuals who have demonstrated a willingness to go “above and beyond” and who provide support to students in an exceptional manner.
The 2018 Educator of the Year award winners were Sarah Gentile, SCSD Supervisor of Fine Arts; Jennifer Wells, SCSD Coordinator of Employee Benefits; Heather Young, Special Education Teacher at Grant Middle School; and Amy Senecal Zion, First Grade Inclusion Classroom Teacher at HW Smith K-8 School.
