Manassas Park Schools Recognizes Some of Its Finest

officials recognized a few of its finest and said their farewells to two retirees Monday night during a special ceremony held at Manassas Park Middle School.

School administrators and school board members formed a serpentine line on and in front of the stage of the  and shook hands, whispered kind words and exchanged hugs with employees who were honored for their hard work.

Clara Jesse received an award of appreciation in honor of her retirement at the end of the school term, after working some three decades in Manassas Park City Schools.

 Jesse, the cafeteria manager at , remained in the school district for 32 years and worked in many different capacities.

 Evelyn “Lynn” Franks is retiring after seven years with the school division as a mathematics teacher, a Student Government Association sponsor and as a choreographer and director of drama and musical productions at Manassas Park Middle School, said Dr. Ritchie Carroll, deputy superintendent for the school division.

 Carroll and other school administrators also recognized the four recipients of the Longevity Award, who together have spent well over a half-century working with Manassas Park City Schools.

 “Over the years, they have experienced numerous changes in leadership, facilities, faculties and educational initiatives. They have witnessed enrollment growth, demographic changes and staff attrition. But still they stayed,” Carroll said Monday. 

 For 20 years, Penny Hand was a newsletter and yearbook co-sponsor, a member of the school improvement team, a ticket taker and an art teacher at Manassas Park High School, Carroll said.

 Lindsay “Wyn” Marshall and Jane Sanders were both honored for 25 years of service in a variety of roles—Marshall as an elementary school teacher and literacy coach and Sanders as a school bus driver.

 Sandra Hamersley was saluted Monday for remaining with the city’s schools for 35 years. Like others recognized before her, Hamersley has served in a number of roles during her tenure.  She has taught physical education, health and driver’s education to the thousands of students who have passed through the school district.

Hamersley has also coached several school sports.

 Carroll herself was recognized for her 15 years of service at Manassas Park City Schools and school division superintendent was recognized for 10 years of service.

 of Cougar Elementary School and  Manassas Park High School teacher Charles Forrest, who was also nominated for the award, were both recognized Monday. 

Cougar Elementary School teacher Kathylee Wever and Michelle Boss of Manassas Park Elementary School were both recognized for being 2010-2011 board certified teachers.

 “There are very rigorous standards to be met, extremely high expectations imposed as well as structured protocol to be acutely followed in order to achieve National Board Certification,” Carroll said.

 Cougar Elementary teacher Andrea Mills, Manassas Park Elementary teacher Petra Meyers, Manassas Park Middle School teacher Jamie Haley and Manassas Park High School teacher Tressa Alter were all recognized for earning continuing contract status with the school district.

 In Virginia, continuing contracts are generally issued after three years of service in the same school division.

 After a standing applause, McDade that he has something that superintendents in larger school districts don’t have.

 “ … I have a connection with many of you,” McDade said. “When you all came across the stage, I was able to say something to each one of you because I know you. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives.”

 McDade said he remembers hiring many of the employees who were recognized and even recalls making interstate phone calls during the interview processes.

 He enjoys being in a small district with a lot of camaraderie, he said.

 Monday was a regular session of the Manassas Park City Schools School Board.

 The body will convene again on June 6 at 7 p.m. for a work session.