60.0°,
Mostly Cloudy SOAR-ing to new heights
A trio of worthy recipients awarded by Island Park superintendent
For the 18th year, the Island Park School Board recognized the outstanding work of faculty and staff during the 2010 SOAR Awards, presented by Superintendent Rosemarie Bovino during the Sept. 27 school board meeting.
Donna Strommer
Donna Strommer has been working in the Island Park Middle School cafeteria for the last 22 years. In 2000, she became the school’s food coordinator, succeeding the previous director Peggy Steele.
“Donna provides conscientious oversight for us,” said Bovino, who added that Strommer is a very organized and dedicated
worker.
As part of her position, Strommer has many responsibilities within the district. She manages the food items that are delivered and keeps the food equipment in the cafeteria up and ready. She also interviews and trains food service personnel and arranges food orders with both the local food co-op and other vendors. Furthermore, she develops the middle school’s cafeteria calendars and organizes special lunches during the school year.
Strommer is very mindful of what students eat. Over time, she has developed expertise in the use of computer software to overlook and monitor the nutritional content of food as part of the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs.
“Mrs. Strommer has never lost sight of the children in front of the food counter,” said Bovino. “She ensures that those receiving free or reduced meals are appropriately accommodated, and those who forget their bagged lunches do not go hungry.”
Kathleen O’Driscoll
For more than 20 years, Kathleen O’Driscoll has been a devoted worker in the Island Park School District. She first worked in the Summer Recreation department, where she was the director of the summer theater.
A parent and a teacher, O’Driscoll holds a masters degree in Elementary Education. She was first a substitute teacher before moving to the Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School in 1995. Over the years, she has taught service courses including Strategies to Teach Young Writers and Guided Writing Using the Six Trait Model.
“Kathleen is a very warm person who challenges herself,” said Rosemarie Bovino. “She’s certainly a leader of the pack.”
