News & Media - Press Releases

May 26, 2006

VIPS HONORED STATEWIDE FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

Millions of dollars worth of time donated by thousands of CFISD volunteers earned the district’s Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) program recognition at the state level.

During the April CFISD Board of Trustees meeting and at the annual VIPS Luncheon held May 11 at the Berry Center, CFISD volunteer Timm Gleason and the VIPS General Committee were honored for their dedication to the district and for receiving the highest state awards bestowed on volunteers.

Cy-Fair volunteers were named Crystal Award winners by the Texas Association of Partners in Education (TAPE) during an annual state partnership conference held in Austin. More than 80 nominations were submitted from around the state and the TAPE Awards selection committee chose Gleason as the Outstanding Adult Volunteer and Cy-Fair’s VIPS General Committee as the Most Outstanding Parent Involvement Partnership. The awards were presented by Texas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Shirley Neeley.

Gleason, a volunteer at Lamkin Elementary, has selflessly devoted his time every Tuesday for the past eight years with the PPCD and pre-kindergarten students.

“Timm definitely has a gift for connecting with small children and those with special needs. He is infinitely patient, always speaks in a calm and soothing voice, and is able to paraphrase on the spot when a book’s wording is too advanced or lengthy,” said Chris Kristensen, PPCD teacher at Lamkin.

The district’s VIPS General Committee, comprised of a volunteer coordinator and a volunteer liaison from each CFISD campus and members of the VIPS Executive Board, was named Most Outstanding Parent Involvement Partnership by the state.

“It is such a pleasure working with the VIPS Executive Board. I cannot imagine how we could have accomplished what has been done this year without the dedication of the extraordinary [VIPS] board members,” said Pam Scott, director of Partners in Education (PIE).

The Committee, chaired by Kim Nash, drives the volunteer business of the district and communicates important information throughout the district regarding available trainings that enable parent volunteers to work more effectively with students and teachers. Monthly meetings promote parental involvement in CFISD schools, offer networking opportunities and sharing of best practices. In one school year, CFISD has documented 10,059 volunteers logging in 480,348 hours, providing donated time worth $8,218,753 to the district.

“When I reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of the 2005-2006 school year, I am reminded of the significant contributions that come from our volunteers,” said Dr. David Anthony, superintendent of schools. “CFISD has responded to exponential growth of over 7,300 students and two devastating hurricanes that impacted our community in so many ways. We simply could not have met these challenges without the strong base of individuals who volunteer in our schools.”

For more information on the VIPS program, please visit the district website at www.cfisd.net.

The CFISD Board recognized the VIPS General Committee during its April Board meeting for being named the Most Outstanding Parent Involvement Partnership by the state. Receiving the certificate of recognition on behalf of the Committee was Kim Nash, chair of the VIPS Executive Board.

Back to CFISD Home Page

Copyright 2008. Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. All Rights Reserved.