Shrewsbury Education Foundation invites the Greater Shrewsbury Community to honor and celebrate this year’s Educational Grant Recipients and John P. Collins Awards for Excellence Recipients along with the Shrewsbury High School Unified Club for their outstanding service to the community and the Shrewsbury Public Schools at the Annual Awards and Fundraising Dinner on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston, MA.

SEF is an all-volunteer organization that raises money to fund grants which put resources and programs directly into the classroom.  Shrewsbury Public School teachers write grant applications seeking funding for unique learning experiences and resources that will directly benefit students.  This year’s Grant Recipients are Mary Ann Hogan, Tina McGrail, Nicole Cormier, Lisa Papazian, Liza Trombley, Kelly Lawlor, Marjorie Fox & Pamela Santilli, Colleen D'Errico, Kara Frankian, Matt Amdur, Derek Pizzuto, Brian Liporto, Kate Mercadante, Melissa Barrett, Becky Dumphy, Brenda Filiere, Jeff LaRose, Ben Pierce, Lisa Smith, Litza Rivera, Amy Smith, and Sophie Straubel. 

SEF will also celebrate the recipients of the John P. Collins Awards for Excellence.  This award honors the exemplary efforts of those whose work brings to life the mission of the Shrewsbury Public Schools: to provide students with the skills and knowledge for the 21st century, an appreciation of our democratic tradition, and the desire to continue to learn throughout life. The award is named for former Superintendent, John P. Collins, PhD, who served for 16 years in Shrewsbury (1978-1994) and exemplified the highest standards of professionalism and a commitment to lifelong learning.  

This year’s honorees from the following categories include:

Support Staff:
Susan Rapp, Payroll Specialist, School Department Central Office

Paraprofessionals:
Deborah Durnin, Shrewsbury High School
Evan Earls, Shrewsbury High School
Heather Sena, Little Colonials Preschool at Shrewsbury High School

Professional Educators:
Jennifer Flemming, Grade 2 Teacher, Coolidge School
Amy Johnson, Grade 7 Science Teacher, Oak Middle School
Kelly Lawlor, English Teacher, Shrewsbury High School
Sarah Matthews, Grade 5 Math & Science Teacher, Sherwood Middle School

Leadership:
Patricia Waterhouse, Director of Special Education, Sherwood & Oak Middle Schools

Unsung Hero:
Anne Gray, Parent Volunteer/Substitute Teacher, Paton School                           

The SEF Community Service Award is granted to a town leader or group who goes above and beyond in delivering outstanding services to the community and to the Shrewsbury Public Schools.  SEF proudly presents this year’s award to the Shrewsbury High School Unified Club, which was also recently honored with national recognition by the Special Olympics.

Tickets for this year’s dinner are $80 and must be purchased by January 20, 2020.  There will be no tickets sold at the door.  Ticket purchases support funding for teacher and program grants and awards. 

Tickets can be purchased from the Shrewsbury Education Foundation at www.SEFgrants.org. ​

Support
Susan Rapp, School Department Central Office
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Paraprofessional
Deborah Durnin, Shrewsbury High School
Evan Earls, Shrewsbury High School
Heather Sena, Little Colonials Preschool at Shrewsbury High School

Professional
Jennifer Flemming, Coolidge School
Amy Johnson, Oak Middle School
Kelly Lawlor, Shrewsbury High School

Professional
Sarah Matthews, Sherwood Middle School

Leadership
Patricia Waterhouse, Director of Special Education, Sherwood & Oak Middle Schools

Unsung Hero
Anne Gray, Parent Volunteer/Substitute Teacher, Paton School

Nominations were closed on November 20, 2019.

The John P. Collins Awards For Excellence honor the exemplary efforts of those whose work brings to life the mission of the Shrewsbury Public Schools: to provide students with the skills and knowledge for the 21st century, an appreciation of our democratic tradition and the desire to continue to learn throughout life. The awards are named for former Superintendent of the Shrewsbury Public Schools John P. Collins, who served in town from 1978 to 1994 and continues to exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and a dedication to lifelong learning in our community.
Multiple awards will be given in the following categories:

• Professional Educator (classroom teachers, special education teachers, subject specialist teachers, nurses, counselors, psychologists, therapists, instructional coaches, etc.)
• Paraprofessional (classroom aides, special education aides, child-specific aides, ABA technicians, media aides, tutors, etc.)
• Support Staff (secretaries, technology support, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, Extended School Care providers)
• Leadership (principals, assistant principals, department directors, curriculum coordinators, district administrators or any staff member who has demonstrated excellent leadership)
• Unsung Hero (volunteers, PTO, boosters, supporters, fans, helpers)

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Who can be nominated?
Anyone who currently works or volunteers in the Shrewsbury Public Schools can be nominated. This includes any staff member or volunteer who you or your child either works with now or has worked with in the past.

Who can submit a nomination?
Just about everyone who’s been touched by the Shrewsbury Public Schools at any level to any degree, such as: Students, teachers, staff, parents, administrators and community members… any and all can nominate someone. All nominees receive a copy of the nomination letter and an appreciation note from SEF.

How will honorees be selected?
A committee of SEF volunteers, Shrewsbury Public Schools staff and community members will review nominations and select the honorees. They will consider how each nominee personifies the Shrewsbury Public Schools’ mission and core values; how the nominee has positively impacted students, the curriculum, fellow staff members, team building, or the school or district-wide community.

When will awards be presented?
Winners will be notified by the end of December. Awards will be publicly presented, along with those for our grant recipients and the Community Service Award, at the SEF Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club.

How can I nominate someone?
Nominations were closed on November 20, 2019.

Thank you!