NCESD Recognizes 2023 Friend of Children Award Recipients and Board of the Year
The North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) celebrated several award recipients on Thursday, May 18 during the Friend of Children and Board of the Year Awards Program event. These awards are presented by the NCESD Board of Directors.
Board of the Year Award
North Central ESD Superintendent Dr. Michelle Price (right) presents award to members of the Quincy School District Board of Directors and Quincy Superintendent Nik Bergman.
Quincy School District
During the event the Quincy School District Board was recognized as the 2023 NCESD Board of the Year. This award was created in 2006 to honor school board members who make a positive impact on the future of students. It is given to school boards who have demonstrated extraordinary collaboration as a team and with their community focusing on academic excellence and managing change.
The Quincy Board of Directors was selected as the 2023 Board of the Year for their focus on and dedicated to the district’s strategic plan. Quincy Board Members include: Chris Baumgartner (President), Heather Folks-Lambert (Vice President), Jack Foglesong, Tricia Lubach, and Chad Lower. The board also includes three student members: Nallely Uribe, Brianna Herrera, and Yanetzi Gonzalez.
In 2016, the Board created the district’s first comprehensive strategic plan – Quincy’s Promise: Unlimited Opportunities for All. This year, the district completed its 2022-2027 strategic plan – Successful Students Today, Bright Futures Tomorrow.
“The Quincy School District Board was an integral guiding force in the strategic planning process from beginning to end, reviewing survey data, attending community and student input sessions, and providing input along the way,” explained Quincy School District Superintendent Nik Bergman.
The five identified student-centered goal areas are linked with metrics and expected outcomes that the Board will use to guide the district’s work over the next five years. The goals include: Start Strong, Culture of Safety and Belonging, Rigorous and Relevant Learning Experiences, Growth and Mastery of Priority Standards, and Pathways to Graduation and Beyond. You can view the full Quincy School District 2022-2027 Strategic Plan on their website.
Friend of Children Awards
In addition to the presentation of the Board of the Year Award, two organizations were recognized with the Friend of Children Award. This award was created in 1992 to recognize outstanding volunteers in the communities represented by the districts within the NCESD’s four-county region. Recipients of the award make extraordinary contributions to local schools, not for fame or notoriety, but because that is just simply who they are.
Cascade School District Superintendent Dr. Edou presents award to Leavenworth Winter Sport Club.
Leavenworth Winter Sports Club
The Leavenworth Winter Sports Club raises funds so that any student can participate in the after school ski and snowboard program, no matter their income. They provide equipment and lessons, and many students who would otherwise not be able to learn to ski or snowboard learn lifelong skills. In addition, every student who wants a season’s pass at Ski Hill receives one.
“Although skiing and snowboarding at Ski Hill is geographically close to schools, the sports can be inaccessible due to expense.,” said Cascade School District Superintendent Dr. Tracey Edou, who nominated the club. “The Leavenworth Winter Sports Club makes sure that isn’t the case.”
Quincy School District Superintendent Nik Bergman (left) presents award to Quincy FFA Booster Club.
Quincy FFA Booster Club
This year, the Quincy FFA Booster Club raised over $70,000 in a single auction to support Quincy students. The funds raised during the auction were used to enhance the FFA experience by purchasing precision farming drones, three trailers, an irrigation system for a 12-acre learning farm ground, and custom work to farm the 12 acres. In addition, the club removes any financial barrier that may prevent a student from participating in FFA, such as travel expenses, business attire, or the personalized FFA Official jackets. As a result of their generous support, the QHS FFA club has over 300 members, making it one of the largest FFA Clubs in the state.
“The Quincy FFA Booster Club has done exceptional work supporting Quincy High School students,” said Quincy School District Superintendent Nik Bergman who nominated the club. “The club embodies the Friend of the Children Award because of its contributions that enhance and profoundly enrich the lives of our students.”
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