Dr. Ruth Calnon Awarded Red Apple Award
Dr. Ruth Calnon was awarded the Boise
Schools Red Apple Award at the May 8 school board meeting.
Congratulations Ruth!
An added surprise was the attendance of
her daughter and grandchildren at the event. Ruth as been the Federal
Programs Consulting Teacher for the districe for 14 years and retired
at the end of the school year. Enjoy your new retired life Ruth. She
plans to be able to put more time and energy into her passion to
promote Early Childhood Education through her volunteer work and
service on different boards.
Idaho Environmental Education Association Volunteer Educator of the Year
From the Peregrine Fund staff and
volunteers: Celebrate the 2017 Idaho Environmental Education
Association Volunteer Educator of the Year - Jane Mattews!
She is a well deserving recipient and it was clear how much she is
appreciated by the number of IdEEA Conference attendees who greeted,
recognized, and congratulated her on Friday, March 3rd. She shares many
hours of her time on the hill working as a docent, handling birds of
prey, and giving lots of tours to excited school children!
Dr. Marilyn Howard honored with dedication of room at The University of Idaho
The Discover Room" is a bright and
welcoming space fitted with up-to-date technology. It allows for
collaboration, research, and consultation in a space with privacy and
light. Teachers in training today are learning in atmospheres that
equip them with skills that were not even dreamed of during her
generation. The room was made possible with the sponsorship of
Marilyn's college roommate, Phyllis Laird, and many friends and
coworkers from her years as an educator.
Dr. Howard was certified to teach both elementary and secondary levels
and also completed the coursework for her administrative certification.
She taught at various levels, was an elementary principal in Moscow and
served on the advisory board for the College of Education. She was
elected to the Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction in
1998. In 2016 Idaho State University awarded her its Outstanding
Educator award.
Members Honored for Operation Wish Book Work
On December 8, 2015, the Boise SD Board of Trustees opened the meeting with a recognition celebrating the 25th year of the Operation Wish Book project that provides books for children in need. Omicron members Juno Van Ocker and Lynne Ball were honored for their many, many hours of service. Lynne was instrumental in starting the project in 1989. Over 400,000 books have been distributed. Jane Zornik attended the presentation.
Janet Orndorff Honored by Idaho AEYC
Janet Orndorff was honored by the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC) Thursday, August 8, 2013. This was a casual event at Zoo Boise. Omicron members joined others as Janet's work for children was celebrated once again.
STATE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The State Achievement Award is a gold pin in the shape of Idaho with a small garnet marking the location of the state capital. The pin is given annually to a member in recognition of outstanding service to the Society at the state level. The first award was given in 1965. It was given biennially for the first five years and in 1970 was changed to an annual award. The State Achievement Award is a symbol of honor. The recipient is an active member meriting recognition for her distinguished service to the Society at the state level. All awardees share leadership qualities such as ability, accomplishment, effort, enthusiasm, interest, idealism, and vision.
Recipients from Omicron Chapter
| Walletta Morrow 1979 | Patricia Fujii 1989 | Marjorie Williamson 1991 |
| Nadine Tucker 1993 | Goldie McClure 1998 | Jane Zornik 2000 |
| Juno Van Ocker 2004 | Betty Ashcraft 2015 |
Alpha Nu State Honoring 30 Years of Service
Marjorie Williamson was honored at the 2009 Alpha Nu State Convention for 30 years of service as Alpha Nu State treasurer. A skit was given in her honor to recognize the hundreds of hours of service given to the society.
Person of Inspiration
Past President Donna brought a new feature to our meetings the 2008-2010 biennium. She introduced a "Person of Inspiration" each month. To do this she asks 3 questions (more if needed) about a member. This gave us a chance to guess who the person waas and then have her share some history or events in their lives. The purpose was to get to know our members and gain an appreciation for the special people that they are. Donna gave a rose pin for those who were honored as Members of Inspiration for each month.
| October, 2008 - Irene Hegg | November, 2008 - Dorothy Wolpert | December, 2008 - Hildegard Bearg-Hopt | |
| February, 2009 - Susan Williamson | April, 2009 - Betty Henry | May, 2009 - Ella Mae Winans | |
| September, 2009- Marjorie Williamson | October, 2009- Esther Burkheimer | November, 2009 - Carol Stollfus | |
| December, 2009 - Esther Wesche | February, 2010 - Colleen Andrew | April, 2010 - Juno Van Ocker |
Omicron Chapter is blessed to have Dr. Susan Williamson, principal of William Howard Taft Elementary School, as a member. She exemplifies the high goals that the Delta Kappa Gamma Society Internatilnal strives to achieve. Recently she has been selected as a recipient of the Idaho Business Review's Idaho Women of the Year for 2009. This program is co-sponsored this year by the University of Phoenix and Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County. She will be honored along with other recipients of the award at a dinner in March at the Boise Centre On-The-Grove.
In February she was given the Red Apple Award. This is an award given to a Boise School District employee each month. In the ceremony it was noted that her school is the only school in the stat to receive the prestigious national No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award for dramatic increase in student achievement.
Under Susan's able leadership, William Howard Taft Elementary has been selected as Showcase School for Excellence in Education.
Most recently Susan, as principal of William Howard Taft Elementary School, was awarded the 2011 National Distinguished Principal Award for the State of Idaho and also awarded the Idaho Educator of the Year Responsible for the Eduction of Refugee Youth at the 3rd Annual Conference of Refugees.Her personal credo she tried to live by was "Grow or Go". Even with all the awards and accolades that she received, she was mot proud of the relationships she formed with her students, staff, and parents, as well a community partners. The table and bench placed on the Taft Elementary School in her memory is typical of how whe alwaays did things for the benefit and joy of children. She would certainly enjoy knowing that students in years to come are still finding the table and bench useful.