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| Head Custodian in Troy Schools Named Michigan School Support Person of the Year
Contact:
Martin Ackley, Director of Communications 517-241-4395
Agency:
Education
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May 1, 2008
LANSING -Mel Sledzinski was surprised today when he was named 2007-2008 Michigan School Support Person of the Year during a visit from state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. Sledzinski is a Head Custodian at Ruth Wass Elementary School in the Troy Public Schools.
"Outstanding school employees like Mel are the lifeblood of good schools around the state of Michigan," Flanagan said. "This award focuses positive attention on the tens of thousands of dedicated school support personnel across the state who rarely receive public recognition for their work."
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm expressed the following message for Sledzinski: "I want to thank Mel for his incredible dedication and commitment to helping Michigan's children, teachers, staff, parents, and community for over 21 years. He is a wonderful example of the extraordinary people who work hard every day to help our children receive a quality education in a positive environment."
The purpose of the Michigan School Support Person of the Year Award is to honor outstanding support personnel for their contributions to the success of the learning community, as well as focusing public attention on the tireless work undertaken by school support personnel on a daily basis. This is the sixth year of the program.
"We are delighted to celebrate the contributions of school support personnel in every Michigan school with this award," said Kathleen N. Straus, State Board of Education President. "Mel represents the unsung heroes in support roles in our school districts."
"Mel Sledzinski, Wass Elementary School's head custodian, is an integral member of the Wass school community … he is actively involved in making the physical environment as pleasant and productive as possible. He has an excellent work ethic and does his job in an efficient and thorough manner. He is able to solve problems and forestall difficulties because of his abilities," said principal Don VanDenBerghe.
"Mel is always willing and available to help in the classroom. He is very thorough and makes the room clean quickly, after a child gets sick, without any disruption to the academic day," said first grade teacher Janice Boyer.
"Mel is liked by all staff members and is respected as the professional he is," said Matt Jansen, representative of the Fifth Grade team of teachers.
"Mr. Mel is our head custodian at Wass. I remember in the cafeteria one day I was eating my lunch and I spilled my milk. He came right over, mopped it up, and gave me a new milk carton. I think Mr. Mel is the best custodian ever," said Joey Carolan, 5th grader.
Sledzinski, a member of the Michigan Education Association, has been active in many community activities including Bethseda Christian Church and Shelby Township Baseball and Softball Club. He also served as a member of the Army National Guard for four years.
Through the corporate sponsorship of MEEMIC Insurance Company*, Wass Elementary School will receive a monetary award in honor of Mr. Sledzinski's recognition as Michigan School Support Person of the Year. The corporate support agreement between the Michigan Department of Education and MEEMIC Insurance Company also includes a monetary award presented to the schools of each of the SSPOY finalists.
State-level finalists for the 2007-2008 Michigan School Support Person of the Year included:
· Julie Bucklin, Special Education Paraprofessional at Coldwater High School in Coldwater. She is employed by the Branch ISD.
· Sheri Curtice-Wills, Title I Paraprofessional at K.I. Sawyer Elementary School in the Gwinn Area Community Schools.
· Janice Havens, Secretary, Central Grade School in Traverse City.
· Peggy McConnell, Special Education Paraprofessional at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills.
For additional information on the Michigan School Support Person of the Year program, log on to www.michigan.gov/sspoy <http://www.michigan.gov/sspoy> .
*MEEMIC is the leading provider of home and automobile insurance for school employees in the State of Michigan. See the attachment for further details about MEEMIC Insurance Company.
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