Team PUSD

TEAM PUSD is designed to recognize an admirable team of employees, who together accomplish an exceptional task or project. The recognition is for a group of two or more classified and/or certificated individuals who have made a significant contribution to the benefit of PUSD, an individual, his or her work site, the community, or other volunteer or service organization. The activity for which they are being recognized generally demonstrates excellence or exceeds the employee’s normal job responsibilities.

Nominated for a TEAM PUSD award are:

Jeff Walker, Custodian; Ramon Mahilum, Custodian; Noel Lopez, Custodian; Paul Sweeny, Lead Custodian; Irma Ortiz, Custodian; Laura Sweeney, Substitute Custodian

• Custodial staff, Oak Valley Middle School This team has operated shorthanded for the last six months and they haven’t missed a beat. Over the summer they were a well-oiled machine moving from building to building making sure the school was ready to go when teachers arrived in August. When some of their team members went down with injuries or were sick they kept things running. Staff and parents have never had anything but positive comments about their teamwork. We host numerous events on campus in the evening and on weekends and they happen without incident. The most notable accomplishments have been the way this team responds to crisis. In the last year Oak Valley has been inundated with floods, fires, water main breaks, evacuations and even a tornado warning. Jeff’s team always remained calm and made sure the campus and the kids remained safe.

Marly Ramos, Parent Liaison, MDES/TPMS; Rafael Lopez, Parent Liaison, PHS; Laura Upson, Parent Liaison, Family Learning Center; Rosario Hansen, Parent Liaison, PMES; Margarita Velasquez, Parent Liaison, MBMS; Laura Gonzalez-Garcia, Parent Liaison, VES

• Each and every day this team goes above and beyond in assisting our Spanish speaking families at their respective sites through written translation of documents, interpreting at parent meetings, and varied forms of outreach to the community. These individuals are exceptional advocates for our Spanish speaking families. They plan and execute workshops and classes designed to educate parents about how to support their students’ academic and emotional well-being. Additionally, they are frequently called upon to serve in a District-wide capacity by reaching out to our families, encouraging them to attend District and school forums and events while ensuring that they feel welcomed and that their voices are represented. It is obvious that their commitment to the families extends well beyond their job description, as they take the time to build relationships with our families and intervene on their behalf in times of crises. Whether it is spearheading gently used clothing drives, assisting parents with the registration and enrollment process, personally visiting homes to check on the welfare of students, connecting parents with resources in the community like the public library, or simply advocating for students who are struggling at school; our Parent Liaisons demonstrate a high level of professionalism, respect, empathy, commitment, and most of all heart. The work they do is deeply appreciated and they epitomize excellence in every way.

Robbie Bowers, Athletic Trainer RBHS; Christina Scherr, Athletic Trainer WHS

• On Friday, January 20, a Westview spectator went into cardiac arrest while attending the boys’ basketball game at Rancho Bernardo High School. Both Robbie and Christina immediately responded, identified the episode as cardiac arrest and began emergency protocols. Robbie began chest compressions while Christina prepped the AED. Within 30 seconds of application the gentleman regained consciousness. While all this was going on, other members of Robbie’s athletic training staff called 911 and assisted in directing the emergency vehicles to the gym where paramedics took over. Both family members and paramedics agree that the swift and decisive action taken by Robbie and Christina saved the man’s life. These two outstanding PUSD employees are recognized for their efforts that evening as well as for the care they provide our student-athletes on a daily basis

Linda Meloney, Testing Supervisor; Pauline Moroz, Data and Assessment Technician; Noli Motos, Data and Assessment Technician; Michele Crabtree, Data and Assessment Technician; Linda Campos, Data and Assessment Technician; Zoe Ng, Senior Information System Support Analyst, Learning Support Services, Testing Department

• Our PUSD Assessment and Digital Curriculum Department, AKA Testing, consistently demonstrates a “can-do” attitude while being tasked with a myriad of tasks for users all over the district. From managing the District process for MAPs, GATE, Fitness, and Smarter Balanced tests, to relationships with vendors, to providing data reports and charts for last minute presentations, to answering teacher and parent phone calls on how to use many of our digital curricula – they manage to meet each request with courtesy, competence, and a smile. All this happens as the scope of their job is constantly shifting, requiring them to become experts on the fly. They will always jump in willingly when co-workers are swamped, when parents are frustrated, or the Help Desk staff retires! I think there is not a person they deal with who walks away disappointed with their effort. They exemplify excellence and positive attitude in everything they do.