Educational Systemics' Sr. VP, Mary LeDonne, was awarded a Shining Star on May 22nd 2008 by Bellingham, WA School Board at the recommendation of the District's Superintendent, Dr. Ken Vedra, for her leadership of the Superintendent's Parents' Advisory Committee (SPAC). The Bellingham School Board awards Shining Star Awards at the beginning of each Board meeting to honor students, staff and community partners for special achievements, exemplary service or outstanding contributions. This was Mary's second year serving on the SPAC and she played a critical role as the school district came under the leadership of a new school superintendent. At the beginning of the school year, Dr. Vedra expressed an interest in the SPAC becoming a self-governing body that serves as a two way conduit for information rather than simply a means for distributing information from the district to parents as had been previously the case. Mary rose to the challenge and played a leadership role by polling parents as to their interests and issues and worked with the Superintendent to assemble a series of monthly meetings that both addressed those issues and established a new direction for the committee as an active participant in providing guidance on issues that impact learners and parents. Under Mary's leadership, topics addressed have included school meal nutrition, special programs including International Baccalaureate (IB) and AVID, overview and discussion about high stakes testing, and sharing of best practices between school parent's organizations. In giving this award, Dr. Vedra accepted Mary's offer to serve as co-Chair of this committee for one more year, a nomination that will be presented before the SPAC early in the next academic year. Educational Systemics congratulates Mary on this achievement and is pleased to continue to support her engagement with our local schools.
Additional Links: Bellingham Public Schools