By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Two USD 489 staff members, as well as HaysMed, were honored Monday night for awards they won this year from the Kansas Head Start Association.
The awards would have been given to the individuals in April at the KHSA conference, but the conference had to be canceled because of COVID-19, Donna Hudson-Hamilton, Early Childhood Connections director, told the school board Monday.
Tamara Anglin
Tamara Anglin was honored as the KHSA Family Advocate of the Year.
She was unable to attend the school board meeting Monday.
Karla Bixenman, 3 to 5 PFCE coordinator, had planned to introduce her award at the BOE meeting.
She submitted the following comments on Anglin:
“There are so many reasons that you are deserving of this award! You have a heart of gold! People only need to be around you for a short amount of time to see that side of you," Bixenman said.
"You always see the good in a bad situation," she said. "You help families see their strengths and work through their challenges. When working with families, you recognize their struggles and give them hope.
"I have witnessed you unselfishly give your time outside of work to support families in need. You never hesitate to lend a helping hand. You are not only an advocate for our families, but for our program as well.
"You definitely carry the banner! You spend countless hours collaborating with community partners to make positive changes for all families.
"You are full of positive intent and you show up every day to make a difference. You never hesitate or back down to a challenge.
"Matter of fact, I think I told you the other day when we were discussing a family that is experiencing some struggles, when a family is looking for hope and change — you show up with your game face on.
"You roll up your sleeves and are ready to help them, no questions asked. You are in your element!
"The fact that you are so committed to the value of strong families and a valuable advocate for Head Start makes you a perfect candidate to receive the Family Advocate of the Year Award. I am so thankful you are a part of our school family!”
Sami Vanek
Sami Vanek was recognized as the KHSA Teacher of the Year.
Sharon Beougher, ECC education coordinator, spoke a the school board meeting on Vanek's behalf.
"When it comes to every child having a quality experience everyday, Sami Vanek rocks it," Beougher said.
"You walk into her classroom and see that her classroom is laid out with purpose. Every part of her classroom has a purpose," she said. "Ask her and she will tell you exactly what type of learning takes place there.
"The classroom is laid out intentionally, so transitions happen as least often as can be helped, and it is as smooth as possible. Transitions will lose learning time. She went to great extent to make sure transitions were quick and flow smoothly in her classroom.
"Probably the hardest thing to describe to you is how you feel when you walk into her classroom," Beougher said. "Whether you are an adult or a child, right away you are going to feel wanted, welcomed, accepted and you are going to find yourself saying, 'I kind of want to hang out here for a while.'
"That comes partly because Sami forms great relationships with all of her student," she said. "Regardless of their needs, she meets them where they are at. On top of that, she forms relationships between the students, so they help each other, they support each other. She has created a school family where everybody wants to be there.
"One of the things that is wonderful about her classroom is even in the busiest parts of the day when every preschooler is actively engaged in a variety of learning activities, her room is still calm.
"There is a buzz. There is a hum, but it's calm. I think it is because she has done such a great job teaching the children the parts of the day, what comes next, how do those routine flow, how do I get through this part of the day, what are my behavior expectations.
"The brain is pattern-seeking, and she works hard to put those patterns in place for the kids," Beougher said.
"She has the ability to see her whole classroom and keep her whole classroom moving forward as well as every single child in the classroom, providing the accommodations, the additions, whatever every child needs to be successful. She works hard to make sure very child has the tools they need to experience success and begin the love of learning at school.
"When it comes to every child every day receiving a quality experience, you can see it right here," Beougher said of Vanek.
HaysMed
HaysMed was honored with the KHSA Excellence in Community Service Award.
ECC collaborates frequently with HaysMed to meet all of the health requirements for the students in its program, Hudson-Hamilton said.
Some of these programs include physical exams, immunizations, labs, breast feeding support and outreach clinics. HaysMed has also provided support for health literacy training for ECC families.
HaysMed staff have been members of the ECC's health advisory and other committees.
"They are also instrumental in telling the story of our work," Hudson-Hamilton said. "They often refer families to us."
HaysMed donated $500,000 toward the renovation of the new Early Childhood Complex on 13th Street.
"I can't say how much we appreciate that and all the work they have done with us," Hudson-Hamilton said.