In December, 2022, DCS’ Board of Education passed a resolution to create a quarterly Board of Education Recognition Award to honor one staff or community member, and one student, each quarter.
Staff or community members chosen for this award should provide “exemplary assistance” in helping the BOE achieve its mission to support every student as they fulfill their dreams and aspirations for the future — or help the board meet its goals related to Academic Achievement, Personal Development, Facilities and Finance, Culture, Partnerships, or Communication.
The student chosen for this award should exhibit one or more of the exemplary character traits that are prized and nurtured at DCS: critical thinking, resilience, compassion, or self-direction.
Nominations are made by principals, the Assistant Superintendent for Management Services, or the Superintendent of Schools, and voted on by members of the Board of Education. Nominees must receive unanimous consent by the Board in order to receive the recognition.
At this week’s regularly scheduled BOE business meeting, President Shayne Mitchell announced the board’s first two recipients of the DCS Board of Education Recognition Award:
Laurel Hallberg – district school psychologist.
Ian McDougall – a senior at Duanesburg High School.
An excerpt from Hallberg and McDougall’s nominations:
Laurel Hallberg is our district school psychologist. She has been and continues to be an indispensable member of the faculty. Her knowledge of child development and how to rethink supporting students in the classroom is unmatched. She takes not only the standardized data, but day to day habits of the students to help create solutions and interventions that will allow the student to grow. Laurel is one of the first people to step in with students that need help with overwhelming emotions, anywhere they may occur. She is a true asset to our district.
Ian McDougall is a senior at Duanesburg High School. When he first came to us, Ian needed assistance with many things to help him be a successful student. Now, in his 12 grade year, Ian is a model of overcoming obstacles and growing as a whole person. He is taking VoTec classes, is a member of our varsity bowling team and is on our Masterminds team as well. He is independent and self-reliant and we are incredibly proud of how he has grown as a student.