EV superintendent thanks employees with barbecue
East Valley Superintendent John Glenewinkel, already gaining a reputation as a good cook, put his skills to use Thursday as a way to thank district employees who went above and beyond the call of duty in getting the district through extreme winter weather in December and January.
He used a borrowed smoker to cook up dozens of pounds of beef brisket and pork shoulder and invited all 100 of the district’s custodians, maintenance workers and bus drivers to a barbecue lunch. “We don’t take the time to thank them the way we should,” he said as he checked the meat. “These folks work hard.”
The three tables in the break room of the district’s bus barn were full Thursday as employees came and went. Nearly all the district’s school board members and some administrative staff were also there to serve food and clean tables. Glenewinkel circulated like the consummate host, making sure the buffet trays were full and asking if everyone got enough to eat.
He had started cooking the meat the night before. “It is a hobby,” he said. “I do it fairly often for community events.”
Bus driver Kenny Gardner was one of several people who thanked Glenewinkel for putting the meal together. “You’re going to keep doing this, right?” he said.
“If you all keep working, I will,” Glenewinkel said with a laugh.
Kindergarten registration
The Freeman School District will begin accepting kindergarten registrations for students living in the district as of Monday. Children must be age 5 by Aug. 31 in order to enroll. Parents must bring a current immunization record, a birth certificate and proof of residency, such as a utility bill. Families can sign up for a time to visit a classroom on April 10.
Parents who do not live in the district but would like their child to attend Freeman schools can call the district office at (509) 291-3695 to be placed on the 2009-’10 choice list.
Dinner and bake sale fundraiser
Students and parents of University High School will host a dinner to benefit percussion instructor Rick Wallace, who has been diagnosed with several medical issues including Crohn’s disease and chronic liver disease. The evening, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, will include a spaghetti dinner, bake sale and silent auction.
The University High School Percussion Ensemble, Lirico Chamber Singers, The Ponderosa Pine Tones and the Horizon Jazz Band will perform.
The dinner is $5. Free child care will be available. The school is at 32nd and Pines. Donations to benefit Wallace can also be given to Heather Brown at Ponderosa Elementary.
Planned Enrichment Program
The East Valley district will soon be evaluating students for placement in its Planned Enrichment Program for highly capable children. Students can be referred to the program by a parent or teacher.
Parents interested in having their child tested for the program should speak to their child’s current teacher during the parent-teacher conference week that begins Monday. Families can also call Heather Schultz at (509) 927-3228.
Scholarships
• The Hutton Settlement is raising money for a special one-time $2,500 scholarship in honor of the organization’s 90th anniversary.
The scholarship will be awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, community service and leadership. Applications will be accepted from residents of Spokane, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens and Whitman counties in Washington and Kootenai, Shoshone, Boundary and Bonner counties in Idaho.
The deadline is April 3. Call (509) 838-2789 for more information.
• The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Sam Campbell Memorial Scholarship.
The award provides $500 annually to a local student who plans a business major. Eligible students must be enrolled in a Spokane Valley high school or be home schooled in the Valley.
The deadline is April 24. Contact the chamber at (509) 924-4994 for more information.
• Friends of Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake are offering several scholarships for local students. There are five $500 scholarships for students studying music, drama, visual arts, recreation, physical education, sports administration, horticulture or natural resources.
A $500 President’s Award scholarship will be given to a student involved in community service, especially if that service involves Pavillion Park.
A $1,500 Elmer Schneidmiller Community Leadership Award will be given to someone who has shown leadership and service to the Liberty Lake community.
The scholarships are for students who are residents of Liberty Lake or who have immediate family members living in Liberty Lake. The deadline is May 8. Call (509) 255-6174 or (509) 994-7933 for more information.