Last night’s 83rd annual Founders Day Award Dinner was a celebration of advocates throughout the district who make a difference in the lives of our students and who have helped to build a positive learning environment.
All six schools and the PTA Council chose members of our community to be commended. This year, there was one Distinguished Service recipient and 14 Honorary Life Membership Award winners.
The Distinguished Service Award
Reserved for Honorary Life Members who have devoted exemplary service to the maintenance and growth of the PTA.
Ron Ashcraft, physical education teacher for more than 29 years with the district, was granted this honor.
Honorary Life Membership Awards
In each recipient’s name, a $55 contribution is made to the New York State PTA Jenkins Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Teacher’s Fellowship Fund.
Glendaal
Margie Fagel (parent)
Sean Schreiner (SG physical education teacher, 8.5 years)
Glen-Worden
Chad Roberts (parent)
Maureen Palleschi (SG Library Media Specialist, 12 years),
Jane Rockstroh (SG teaching assistant, 8.5+ years)
Lincoln
Bonnie Belfance (community member)
Bridget Sand (SG first grade teacher, 16+ years)
Sacandaga
Morgan Chimento (parent)
Kari Moretti (SG Library Media Specialist, 10 years)
Middle School
Melody Kot (parent)
Lexie Marquis (SG English teacher, 28.5 years at SG)
High School
Amber Gotha (parent)
PTA Council
Amanda Shults (parent)
Maureen Blazejeski (retired SG reading teacher, literacy coach and Wilson reading coach, 31+ years)
Glendaal
Margie Fagel (Parent) – Margie has been the backbone of the Glendaal PTA, serving as President for the last 4 years. Margie is the first one in at any PTA event, and the last one out. She ensures seamless setup and tear downs also while making sure the kids are having a fun, safe time. Active on many different boards, Margie’s selflessness spreads throughout the Capital District and Glendaal is thankful to have her.
Sean Schreiner (Teacher) – Mr. Schreier goes above and beyond the roles of a teacher every day at Glendaal. His days start early at Exercise/Running Club at Glendaal and they end late coaching numerous youth sports and school sports. He is extremely generous to the PTA – coordinating student pickup after mini-courses, giving up his gym space for the Holiday Bazar and so much more. Glendaal is so appreciative of Mr. Schreiner!
Glen-Worden
Chad Roberts (Parent) – Chad is at the center of everything Glen-Worden PTA does. Coordinating playdates to welcoming kindergarteners, volunteering at every event Glen-Worden has, stocking the faculty room with goodies, never turning away a student in need. The list could go on forever. Chad advocates for the inclusivity of children at Glen-Worden and within the district and makes sure families voices are heard. The families and staff of Glen-Worden appreciate all Chad does more than words can explain!
Maureen Palleschi (Library Media Specialist) – Mrs. Palleschi works every day to build a feeling of community at Glen-Worden by going above and beyond in her role as the school librarian. Mrs. Palleschi coordinates library activities such as March Madness reading challenges and One School, One Book. She makes reading come alive through her yearly pumpkin decorating contest giving the kids of GW memories that will last a lifetime. After school, the kids look forward to seeing Coach Palleschi at Girls on the Run. Glen-Worden loves Mrs. Palleschi and all that she does!
Jane Rockstroh (Staff) – Ms. Rockstroh is a well-loved member of the Glen-Worden Hive. All of the students at the school know her name and she tries to make sure every child feels special and seen. Ms. Rockstroh regularly jumps in to help struggling students and is happy to lend a hand to help her colleagues with their bulletin boards. She attends concerts, presentations and board meetings outside of school hours to support Glen-Worden students, both past and current. Glen-Worden is super thankful for Ms. Rockstroh!
Lincoln
Bonnie Belfance (Community Member) – Ms. Bonnie goes above and beyond her duty of being a crossing guard. She looks out for the children and families of Lincoln while also getting to know them. The kids adore her and look up to her as a role model. Ms. Bonnie is a volunteer firefighter for our Scotia-Glenville community and her selflessness is admired by many. Lincoln feels so lucky to have Ms. Bonnie!
Bridget Sand (Teacher) – Ms. Sand is a teacher that all of the children admire! Not only does she help students grow in their academics, but she helps them grow as people as well. Lincoln feels so honored to have Ms. Sand as part of their Penguin Family!
Sacandaga
Morgan Chimento (Parent) – There is nothing that Morgan can not and will not do. She is always one of the first to volunteer when anything needs to be done. She has a wide wealth of knowledge in both fundraising and technology and is quick to share her ideas and also bring them to fruition. Morgan is always thinking about the children of the community and coming up with ways to support all of them. “Above and Beyond” could be a motto for the life of service that Morgan has chosen to live. Sacandaga and the entire SG community are very lucky to have her!
Kari Moretti (Library Media Specialist) – Miss Moretti is always thinking about her students and their families. During COVID learning, she was able to provide top notch differentiated instruction to every single student at Sacandaga. She is an integral part of the One School, One Book program at Sacandaga. She was an active presence in the introduction of the District Wide Book Fair and prior to that always put on a fabulous school wide book fair every year. Miss Moretti works so hard with the PTA to bring an author to Sacandaga each year that all of the students will love to hear. Sacandaga feels so incredibly thankful to have Miss Moretti!
Middle School
Melody Kot (Parent) – With volunteerism at a low with today’s busy lifestyle, Melody is truly a light in this school district. She is a ‘community parent’ and cares genuinely for students across the entire district. Mel has committed to numerous sports related activities as a former collegiate athlete including Tartan Youth Lacrosse, Junior Tartan Football and Tartan Youth Basketball. Melody puts her community before herself and we are so lucky to have her!
Lexie Marquis (Teacher) – Miss Marquis has run the talent shows for 20+ years at the middle school! She went above and beyond by volunteering her horses, connections and time last year to give students opportunities to ride and work with horses. She is always willing to help out the middle school however she can when needed and is a TON of fun! The middle school is so thankful for Miss Marquis!
High School
Amber Gotha (Parent) – Amber never looks for recognition in what she does and she’s ALWAYS willing to help. She has helped shape how Founders Day has been run, and has served as the treasurer for Middle school, High school, and Council (jobs that are hard to find volunteers for and require diligence and honesty, two traits she possesses in spades). The HS PTA is so grateful for Amber!
Ron Ashcraft (Teacher) – Mr. Ashcraft has worked hard to bring together the special education population and connect them to the general education population. He has helped to knock down barriers and stigmas associated with special education. He worked with other colleagues this year to create a Unified PE class at the high school with general education students and the life skills class. Even though he is not paid by the district as a unified coach, you can find him on the sideline of every practice, game and match, working with his kids and cheering them on. He is a constant force in our district of tolerance, kindness and generosity and the high school is so thankful for him!
PTA Council
Amanda Shults (Parent) – Amanda has coordinated Odyssey of the Mind for 15+ years, providing training and support to coaches and helping ensure the participating kids have a fulfilling experience. She is also very active in the Lincoln PTA serving as Co-President. Amanda is extremely generous with her time and is always working to make sure the kids of Scotia-Glenville create wonderful memories at Lincoln and Odyssey. Amanda is one of the best and the PTA Council is very excited to honor her at the dinner in March!
Maureen Blazejeski (Retired Teacher) – Mrs. Blazejeski spent 30+ years working as both a teacher and literacy coach in this district. She is the reason SG has a strong and fully supported Wilson Reading program that will now have over 20 certified Wilson teachers. She retired in January 2023 from teaching but has continued to support our program by acting as our Wilson District trainer (this year 7 more teachers will be certified because of her efforts) and continues to sub for Wilson teachers who are out for long-term absences. Mrs. Blazejeski has made such an amazing impact in our wonderful district!