U-46 recognizes outstanding community volunteers

Elgin Area School District U-46 officials Thursday recognized several community members who dedicated their time and energies to the district this school year during the 21st annual volunteer reception.

Oakhill Elementary School parents Vanessa Castelan and Phil Novello were named 2018 Volunteers of the Year.

Castelan volunteers on the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Universal Team at the Streamwood school and supports districtwide activities and committees, including the 5 Essentials Parent Survey, dual language, family literacy and parent-teacher organization groups.

She is a member of the Citizens' Advisory Council's Family and Community Engagement Committee and helped organize a spring networking event for PTO and boosters members to exchange fundraising ideas and share strategies for increasing parent/volunteer participation in schools.

Novello, also a strong supporter of PBIS and dual language programs and co-chair of FACE, helped organize a breakfast for real estate agents. He also helps at U-46 events and the Eagle Eyes: Parents in Action work group formed to strengthen the school environment and sense of safety.

"Vanessa and Phil work tirelessly to support the district's goal of increasing our families' understanding and involvement in their child's learning by helping keep district events, programs and initiatives energized, organized and successful," U-46 CEO Tony Sanders said.

Parent Cynthia Hernandez, president of the parent-teacher group at Huff Elementary in Elgin, received the "Helping Hands" award, created last year to recognize volunteerism at the school level.

Hernandez has helped get teachers and parents involved in school events and seminars and to support students. She is a graduate of the district's Hispanic Parent Leadership Institute and a CAC member. She also developed the Parents in Education outreach program piloted at Huff.

Nominees included: Mike Aluquin for helping the Bartlett High School boys basketball program during games and practices; Robert Cox for helping the after-school chorus group and guitar club at Lords Park Elementary in Elgin; Tim Frazier for chaperoning students at Willard Elementary in South Elgin to visual, hearing and dental screenings; Marie Frey for helping with academic interventions and enrichment at Willard Elementary in South Elgin; Shannon Ries for reading and helping with math and providing one-on-one or small-group assistance to students at Garfield Elementary in Elgin; George Rodman for playing and talking with preschool students at Illinois Park Early Learning Center; and the "Garfield Elementary Patrols," including Maria Martinez, Valeria Monica, Araceli Quiroz and Isabel Santoyo, who set up traffic cones and help students cross the street at two busy intersections near the school.