OCCASIONS

CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WEEK

By: Michelle Curry March 8, 2010

Students arrive safely at school, lights turn on when a switch is flipped, a nutritious lunch is served to hungry kids, computers transmit important information across a school district, and cool air comes out of vents during late spring days.

These essential services occur because of the diligence and dedication of classified school employees—and they are things people definitely would notice if they didn’t happen.
That’s the magic of classified school employees. When they are on the job, they often go unnoticed. From behind the scenes, classified employees provide services vital to the everyday operation of schools. Without these services, school districts across Washington would grind to a halt.

Classified School Employee Week, March 8-12, calls attention to Public School Employees’ (PSE) essential contributions to education. With the theme, “Teamwork,” the week will spotlight the valuable contributions classified employees make to the education of Orting students.

PSE represents classified employees in a wide range of job classifications, including:

Transportation: Classified employees drive students to and from school every day, making sure they are transported safely.

Food Services: Classified employees serve students hot and nutritious meals.

Paraeducators/Instructional Assistants: Classified employees provide students with extra one-on-one instruction in virtually all educational programs from kindergarten through graduation. They also work directly with second language and special education students.

Technicians: Classified employees provide a wide variety of support for students and staff including health, assessment, multimedia, computer and occupational information.

Secretarial: Classified employees make the buildings run smoothly by greeting parents and meeting the needs of students and staff.

Maintenance & Operations: Classified employees guarantee students clean, safe and healthy campuses from which to learn.

Monitors: Classified employees provide safe crossing and safety for our students on the playgrounds in the lunchrooms and on the buses.

On behalf of the School Board, District, and community, a special thank you to all the classified staff who consistently demonstrate the highest degree of dedication and professional performance. We are indeed fortunate to have so many wonderful, warm and caring people to work with and nurture our children.

In this era of less resources and declining budgets, school systems are asking all employees to do more with less. It is more important than ever to show our staff how much we appreciate and care about them as vital members of the Orting School District family. I invite all residents to join me in expressing gratitude to staff members during Classified Employee Appreciation Week.

Sincerely
Michelle Curry
Superintendent