At the August Sand Springs Board of Education meeting, the board recognized Sand Springs Public Schools employees with the Sandite Pacesetter Award.
Sandite Summer Reading Academy Team
The educators of the Sandite Summer Reading Academy (SSRA) received the Sandite Pacesetter Award. The Board of Education recognized Amanda Benson, Jennifer Ennis, Elaine Holt, Allison Potteiger (not pictured), Whitney Sanders, and Jennifer Smith. This group was nominated by SSPS Director of Federal Programs, Claudia Smith.
These Sandites spent the summer helping Sandites improve their reading skills. This summer, 62% of SSRA students scored higher in the NWEA MAP Growth screener– an assessment for measuring growth in reading– compared to each student’s spring score. The remaining 38% of students were, on average, within 5 points of their spring screening score.
In her nomination form, Smith writes that the SSRA educators “were intentional in their lessons and focused on each student’s individual needs.” Smith goes on to say that she “could not be more proud of their efforts to create a fun learning experience and atmosphere that incorporated the learning needs of our students.”
Jamie Conrad - 21st Century Community Learning Center
Jamie Conrad, the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Director for Sand Springs Public Schools, received the Sandite Spirit Award. Conrad was nominated by SSPS Director of Federal Programs, Claudia Smith, for her devotion, hard work, and exemplary performance in her role.
21st CCLC supports high-need schools in meeting academic standards by providing services to students and their families during out-of-school hours. At SSPS, these services include our after school and summer learning programs. Conrad is the driving force behind these programs and has turned them into state- and nationally-recognized projects. She has spoken at conferences at both the state and national level, shining a light on her great work at SSPS.
In her nomination form, Smith states that, when Conrad receives credit for her good work, she redirects it to the people around her. “It is important that she is recognized,” writes Smith, “for the impact she has made on the lives of the students who need us the most.”
Lissa Chidester - District Communications
The Board of Education gave the Sandite Pacesetter Award to Director of Communications Lissa Chidester. Chidester recently received national recognition for the Future-Ready Sandites bond webpage. The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) honored Chidester and the district with the 2024 Publications and Digital Media Excellence Award for Financial Publication.
Chidester was nominated for the Pacesetter award by Superintendent Sherry Durkee. In her nomination form, Durkee states that Chidester “continues to strive for excellence, and we are proud she is on our Sandite Team!”