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Press Release: Ninth Annual Parent Involvement Matters Award Semifinalists Named

Statewide Winner To Be Announced On June 3


For Immediate Release                                                  Contact: Bill Reinhard, 410-767-0486

Baltimore, MD (May 18, 2016)

Interim State Superintendent of Schools Jack Smith today announced the 25 semifinalists for the 2016 Parent Involvement Matters Award.

The Parent Involvement Matters Award (PIMA) Program is the nation’s first statewide initiative of its kind – recognizing parents and legal guardians for their exceptional support of public education. Parents are nominated for demonstrating significant, positive contributions in their education communities. This is PIMA’s ninth year.

The 2016 Parent Involvement Matters Award will be presented during an evening celebration on Friday, June 3. Five finalists and a statewide winner, selected from the 25 semifinalists detailed below, will be announced during the awards ceremony.

“Maryland schools and students benefit in countless ways from the work of parents and guardians. We honor their work and take pride in the vital role they play in improving classrooms throughout our State,” said Dr. Smith. “A strong school is often a direct reflection of the tireless volunteer work that parents provide.”

The PIMA Program recognizes parents from local school systems across the State of Maryland, nominated for their contributions in one or more of the five areas of parental involvement:  Communication; Volunteering; Learning; Decision Making; and Community Collaboration.

Many of the semifinalists from previous years have become parent involvement advocates on the statewide level – serving as members of task forces, presenters at statewide meetings, and participants in education conventions as well as focus groups.

The 25 PIMA winners for 2016 are:

Allegany County Public Schools                           Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Angela Frost & Charity Walters                                 Chen Chen
John Humbird Elementary                                          Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Baltimore City Public Schools                               Baltimore County Public Schools
Aaron I. Simpson, Sr.                                                 Cheri Pegues
Edmondson-Westside                                               Towson High School

Calvert County Public Schools                             Caroline County Public Schools
Tammy Brunstrom                                                      Kristen Robinson
Huntingtown High School                                            Greensboro Elementary

Carroll County Public Schools                               Cecil County Public Schools
Daniel Simon                                                              Timothy Dominick
Eldersburg Elementary                                               Leeds Elementary School

Charles County Public Schools                              Dorchester County Public Schools
Thomas Gordon, Sr.                                                   Kimberly Conner
Indian Head Elementary                                              North Dorchester High School

Frederick County Public Schools                          Garrett County Public Schools
Jeff Downing                                                               Regina Holliday
Wolfsville Elementary School                                      Grantsville Elementary

Harford County Public Schools                              Howard County Schools
Sandi Easton                                                              Scott Brown
Bakerfield Elementary                                                Swansfield Elementary

Kent County Public Schools                                    Montgomery County Public Schools
Stephanie A-R Edwards                                               Lori A. Green
Kent County High School                                             Northwest High School

Prince George's County Public Schools                Queen Anne's County Public Schools
Earnest Moore                                                             Cinda Anthony
Prince George’s County Public Schools                       Sudlersville Middle School

Somerset County Public Schools                           St. Mary's County Public Schools
Timothy Bozman                                                          Jason Mandeville
Princess Anne Elementary                                          Mechanicsville Elementary

Talbot County Public Schools                                 Washington County Public Schools
Suzanne Wieland                                                        Jennifer Poffenberger
Chapel District Elementary                                          Boonsboro High School

Wicomico County Public Schools                            Worcester County Public Schools
Donna Turnamian                                                        Janice Clark
Evening High School                                                    Stephen Decatur High School

 

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