Fred Awards
My daughter Kyla Lockett has missed four weeks of
school because of illness. Throughout that time, her teacher Missy
Zepeda, Kyla’s classmates and their parents, the Patriot Place
after-school program, the broadcasting team and the robotics team (both
of which Kyla is a member) have been instrumental in speeding her
recovery through phone calls of concern, cards, gifts, videos and so
much love and kindness. Ms. Zepeda even came to see her in the hospital
with balloons in hand. As an employee of Fayette County Public Schools
as well as a mother, I have never felt so overwhelmed by such
generosity. My whole family, especially Kyla, would like to recognize
and thank the great students, staff and families at Veterans Park
Elementary School.
– Submitted by Stacey McDonald, school psychologist, Southern Elementary
Dale Coyle went way out of her
way one afternoon to get my daughter Ellen’s homework for me. Ellen was
home sick and I had asked that her homework be sent home with her
brother Luke. I received a call around 1:30 p.m. telling me that Luke
wasn’t feeling well and I needed to pick him up.
Laura Miller, not knowing that Luke was coming home early,
hadn’t yet given him Ellen’s work. Ms. Coyle ran (literally, I think) to
Ms. Miller’s room so that I could get Luke home and Ellen would have her
work! Thanks to both Ms. Coyle and Ms. Miller for going out of their way
to be sure that Ellen didn’t fall too far behind! I’m continuously
impressed with the Veterans Park Elementary staff!
I also want to thank Rebecca Puckett. My
son Luke has battled a variety of illnesses and unfortunately missed
quite a few days of school. Ms. Puckett has been incredible! She called
our house numerous times to check on Luke. She made sure that he didn’t
fall behind and communicated with us on an almost daily basis regarding
his total well-being. She also eased Luke’s transition back into the
classroom after he’d missed an entire week of school. She is an awesome
teacher who demonstrates great care for her students.
– Submitted by Rachel Harrington, parent
Kimberly Walker, a teacher at Veterans Park
Elementary, was careful to remind my daughter Gracie every day to put
her orthodontic bumper in its carrying case before lunch. Gracie
promised that she would not lose the bumper as Ms. Walker herself once
lost a retainer as a child. However, one day this past spring, Gracie
did leave her bumper on the lunch tray. After Ms. Walker figured out
what happened, she took Gracie to the lunch room, grabbed some gloves
and began looking through the trash until they found it! Ms. Walker went
“above and beyond,” and it was much appreciated. This is one example of
the many ways Ms. Walker went out of her way to make each day special.
– Submitted by Krystan Coyle, parent
Molly Dabney of Veterans Park
Elementary has been an absolute joy to work with this year. My son, Kip,
has mild cerebral palsy and has needed additional physical therapy –
about 8-10 hours a week. We worked with several options on how to fit
this into his schedule. Our first attempt did not work very well,
resulting in his first “C” (much to his utter disgust!). Mrs. Dabney
stayed upbeat and encouraging and helped us work out a better therapy
schedule that wouldn’t interfere with his math class. After the schedule
change, Kip’s math grade steadily improved, and he’s back to earning A’s
and B’s. Mrs. Dabney stayed on top of encouraging him and went very
above and beyond in helping us work out a family/school issue. We love
Mrs. Dabney, and her love for the students is obvious!
– Submitted by Gina Pearce, parent
Cheri Sanger of Veterans Park Elementary
called our home to make sure I was aware that the chorus schedule had
changed from Monday to Friday. She was double-checking just to make sure
I would meet my daughter for her walk home so that she would be safe. As
it turns out, I did forget the schedule change, and Reagan would have
been left to walk home by herself. I can’t tell you how thankful I am
that Mrs. Sanger took the time to double-check and call me. Thank you,
Mrs. Sanger!
-- Submitted by Tracy Coble, parent
My daughter was struggling with her homework and
just having some challenges with her everyday assignments at Veterans
Park Elementary. Her teacher, Emily Harris, has been staying after
school with our daughter and giving her some one-on-one instruction. We
really appreciate Ms. Harris giving her time and energy, and just going
that extra mile for our daughter. Her grades have really improved as
well as her self-respect.
– Submitted by a grateful parent
Our daughter recently learned she has to
wear a cumbersome, uncomfortable back brace to help curb the progression
of scoliosis. Her teacher at Veterans Park Elementary,
Pam Bradley, and
assistant, Valerie McCaw,
have been extremely supportive through the entire process of doctors’
appointments, missed school and learning to wear the brace. They allowed
me to speak to their class, teaching a little about scoliosis and
sharing that my daughter would be wearing a brace to school. On the day
my daughter was absent from class to go to her brace fitting, the
students made "Welcome Back" cards, and Ms. Bradley called to check on
our daughter. The day our daughter first wore her brace to school, Ms.
Bradley, Mrs. McCaw and many of the students wore UnderArmour and other
athletic shirts in support of my daughter, who has to wear that type of
apparel under her brace to protect her skin. Ms. Bradley even took a
class photo of all the students in their special shirts and posted it on
her Web site! Also, during the first day our daughter wore her brace to
school, Ms. Bradley allowed her to take time to show her brace, having
each classmate decorate the brace with a sticker so that each student
has seen and touched the brace up close, and there are now no mysteries
about this medical appliance. As our daughter has adjusted to wearing
the brace, we have had to pop in and out of school, giving bathroom
breaks, checking for pressure sores and making sure she stays healthy.
Every time we walk into the classroom, we are greeted with welcoming
smiles. Sincere thanks to Ms. Bradley, Mrs. McCaw and to all the upper
primary students in their class. You have made something that could have
been a horrible experience into something that’s not so bad – and
actually kind of fun! We appreciate you!
Submitted by Tammie and Daniel Marsh, parents
Judy Blakeman
went above and
beyond for our family. My son was having surgery, and I informed Mrs.
Blakeman so she could be aware. Well, she found an article about
children and having surgery and cut it out and mailed it to us. I just
felt with over 700 children at Veterans Park Elementary, for her to take
such a sincere effort in making my son feel special was above the call
of duty. Mrs. Blakeman showed true compassion for him, and that is truly
appreciated.
-- Submitted by a grateful parent
Erin Rowe
at Veterans Park
Elementary made laminated copies of my daughter’s "word wall" words for
us to work on at home. It was certainly a simple act, but it was also
definitely above and beyond the call of duty. I’m sure she doesn’t have
enough time in her busy day to get everything done that she needs to
accomplish, so her effort is very much appreciated by our family.
-- Submitted by Amanda Xenos, parent
Lunch time e-mail is appreciated
Our daughter entered kindergarten at Veterans Park Elementary this
year. We have another, older child who attends the school, so we were
already comfortable with the process, and had heard good things about
our kindergartener's assigned teacher – but we were still misty-eyed and
a little worried this morning as we walked away from the school
building. Before noon today, however, we had an email update from our
child's kindergarten classroom. While the students were at lunch,
Rebecca Puckett took time to let the
parents know that their children were faring well on this first day of
school. In addition to that, she included a list of conversation topics
in the email to help initiate conversation with children who are
sometimes reticent – or too overwhelmed – to discuss their school
experiences. In the paperwork sent home today, Mrs. Puckett included
another list of activities from the school day, a personal note in an
interactive journal for the parents and sent home homemade modeling
dough for the students. When my daughter proclaimed school to be
"great," that capped a day of wonderful experiences for her parents.
Thank you to Mrs. Puckett for going above and beyond our expectations.
She has set the bar high for the rest of the year, but you know what? I
expect she can raise it even higher as the days go by! I certainly am
going to enjoy watching and participating as she attempts it!
Submitted By: Tammie Marsh, Parent
I just wanted to let you know that your school Web
site is great! To be able to see what my daughter Ellen is doing in
Ms. (Rebecca) Puckett’s class is the highlight of my
day.
Being deployed to Kuwait and away from home is not
easy but having the ability to stay connected with Ellen and her school
activities makes me feel not quite as removed from everything. When we
talk during the week I can then ask her about specific things she is
doing at school. I try to spend a few minutes each day visiting the Web
page as it always lifts my spirits.
I miss family, friends, KY and the good ol’ USA
immensely and count the months until I can come home. Thanks for
everything that you and your staff do.
Submitted by: Major Bradley D. Harrington,
U.S. Army, 377th Theater Support Command (FWD) - G1 Section
Well wishes make illness go by faster
In October, when my daughter was at home sick with
pneumonia, her Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Rebecca Puckett
called her several times to wish her well and offer encouragement.
Madison was so anxious to go back to school I had to beg her to stay
home until she was better! My daughter has had an awesome experience
with Mrs. Puckett at Veterans Park Elementary School – we love her!
Submitted by Millicent Carmouche,
Parent
Fire doesn’t destroy kindness
Our family had a house fire in December. My little
girl’s first grade teacher, Andrea Gilliam at Veterans
Park Elementary, evidently contacted parents and/or other teachers and
staff about our loss. I’m not sure how this was orchestrated, but we
received bags upon bags of clothing for the kids, gift cards for food at
local restaurants, new clothes, gently used clothes, coats, toys,
stuffed animals, and the list goes on. It was like Christmas every day!
This thoughtfulness really made the transition through the fire as
smooth as possible. We are blessed to have Ms. Gilliam as a part of the
VPE family.
Submitted by Jared Combs, Parent
Veterans Park Elementary
Fred helps child excel
I am Muqi Qiu, father of Maxwell Qiu, who is
attending Veterans Park Elementary. I think I spotted a Fred at your
school. That Fred is my son’s teacher, Mrs. Andrea Gilliam. I
hope it’s not too late to let you know this. Maybe you already knew
through other parents that she is a Fred.
I have been hesitating about sending this email out
ever since I saw this request on your McVey’s Message of Decemeber 2005,
because my son wasn’t her best student yet. But he made a great progress
last semester and that has a lot to do with Mrs. Gilliam.
In August 2005, I wasn’t sure if Max was ready for
kindergarten because he spoke very limited English at the time. He
turned out to speak a much better, though not perfect, English, write
much better, understand the language much better, and behave much
better.
In the very few times I was having lunch with Max, I
was surprisingly impressed with how well her students behaved outside
their classroom, how orderly the line of their class was, and how quiet
they were when they were eating in their classroom. I was surprised
because those happened in the very first weeks of the semester. Mrs.
Gilliam must have some magic so that the students were well trained in a
short time. Besides the school open house, I had two teacher-parent
conferences with Mrs. Gilliam. Each time, her classroom looked neat and
well organized. She knew everything Max learned and performed at school
everyday, his weekly progress, and things that Max needed to be
emphasized from time to time.
Her teaching was interesting and innovative. The
insect project at the beginning of the semester attracted all 27 curious
and knowledge-thirsty young minds. It turned out to be very successful,
because at least Max and our whole family learned many, many things from
it. There’s one thing that must have to do with Mrs. Gilliam’s teaching
and/or her magnetic personality: whenever Max was sick and stayed at
home for more that one day, he always asked if he could go to school
because he was missing Mrs. Gilliam very much.
Mrs. Gilliam is also very caring. Whenever Max was
sick at home, she always sent him wish-well cards and called him to wish
him get well soon. To help Max with his language learning and to make up
the work he left behind due to sickness, Mrs. Gilliam made phonic charts
and flash cards and personally brought them to our house with additional
educational toys.
She did go extra miles to deliver to Max. And I am
sure she delivers to all her pupils everyday!
Submitted by Muqi Qiu, Parent
Veterans Park Elementary School
Unlocking each child’s potential
Leslie Nuckols and Kay
Isaacs at Veterans Park Elementary School have gone out of
their way to help my son overcome his ADHD and demonstrate his true
potential. They worked with him and gave him the extra attention and
materials he needed to qualify for the gifted and talented program for
middle school next year, even when he had trouble getting some of his
work done in time. I remember as a child what difference teachers can
make, and these two have probably had a lasting effect on my son’s
future.
Submitted by A Grateful Parent
Veterans Park Elementary
Extra effort ensures child’s safety
A Fred Sighting goes to Janet Jones
at Veterans Park Elementary. When school was dismissed early because of
approaching bad weather, she made several phone calls and sent me an
email trying to get a hold of me to confirm that my son would not arrive
to an empty home. In fear that I would not get through to her on the
school’s phones, she even left her personal cell number in her messages
so that I’d be able to get back in touch with her to confirm he’d be OK!
She truly is a wonderful and thoughtful teacher, as is everyone at
Veterans Park Elementary!
Submitted by Paula Howard, Parent
Veterans Park Elementary
A shared enthusiasm for kids
As the homeroom parent for a Kindergarten/first grade
class at Veterans Park Elementary, I needed to plan the winter party for
a class of 24 lower primary students. Because it was for my daughter’s
class, I needed a FUN theme. Because I am a former teacher (and still a
teacher at heart), I needed a theme that would be educational, too.
Knowing that VPE music teacher Mrs. Laura Bosworth had
taught the lower primary classes about The Nutcracker ballet, I decided
to piggyback onto her teaching with a party loosely based on The
Nutcracker. When I began the party with a retelling of The Nutcracker
story, I was amazed at how much the students knew! They pitched in to
tell even more details than I had planned to include in my retelling,
and were excited about sharing what they had learned. Mrs. Bosworth
clearly had gotten their collective attention and had shared her love of
the ballet with them. The afternoon of the day school got out for winter
break, I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm any longer. Although I knew that
all the teachers would probably be hustling and bustling around to
prepare for the upcoming holidays, and the last thing they would want
would be a call at home from a parent, I called anyway. Mrs. Bosworth
took time to return my call, and talked to me extensively about The
Nutcracker, her lessons and the party. Far from seeming upset that I had
interrupted her cherished vacation time, she shared my enthusiasm for
the students’ learning AND thanked me multiple times for calling to
share my experience. Mrs. Bosworth truly went above and beyond my
expectations and I appreciate having someone with her enthusiasm (and
graciousness) working with my child at Veterans Park Elementary.
Submitted by Tamela Marsh, Parent
Veterans Park Elementary
Teacher’s work goes beyond the classroom
My son had Mrs. Christi Lindeman last school
year for kindergarten and I can not say enough wonderful things about
her. She is an incredible teacher. He learned far more than I ever
expected. She is the most dedicated teacher a parent or student could
ever ask for. Not only did she spend numerous hours in the classroom,
she also attended one of my son’s basketball and tee ball games. I know
she has a family of her own, yet she took the time to watch my son’s
(and many other kids in her class) games. Words can not express what it
meant to my son to see his teacher in the stands cheering for him. She
definitely cares for the kids and goes above and beyond the call of
duty. I was so impressed by the number of hours she spent working on the
“Wack-a-Doo Zoo” play. We had several family members come watch and they
were all in awe of the wonderful job the kids and teachers did. I was
also overwhelmed by the incredible scrapbook she gave to each child at
the end of the year. This scrapbook is something our family will always
treasure. Once again, Mrs. Lindeman went over and beyond the call of
duty.
I am sending you this because I want you to know how
much we appreciate her. Many times teachers do not get the proper
recognition and appreciation. I just want you to know how much we love
Mrs. Lindeman. I am so glad my son will be in her class again next year.
We feel so blessed and fortunate to have had such a great start at VPE.
The school is absolutely incredible and I know it starts at the top.
Thanks very much. Have a great summer.
Submitted by Lee Walker, Parent
Safety First!
From an email to Amy McVey, principal at Veterans Park
Elementary School…
Thank you so much for having someone pick up
the broken glass on Saron Drive. I know this was beyond the call
of duty. It was cold on Friday too! I happened to be driving by
when the gentleman was picking it up (I’m sorry I don’t know his
name, please let him know I really appreciate his work). I
stopped my car and thanked him but I wanted you to know too.
Thanks for making Veterans Park Elementary
great in so many ways.
Submitted by Rachel Harrington
Parent, Veterans Park Elementary School
Amy McVey, added: This FRED is our custodian – Johnny Bond!