The Owensboro Public Schools Board of Education recognized the recipient of the Community Pillar of Support Award at last Thursday's Board meeting.
Starting last year, the district began recognizing one individual and/or group from our community who is making a difference for our students and families on a regular basis.
We are calling that award our Community Pillar of Support Award. In the district's strategic plan for our next five years, it states: “Help students form connections with an adult advocate.”
It also says: “Partner with families to provide equitable opportunities to maximize student growth and achievement.”
In Owensboro Public Schools, we name and claim each student and we advocate for them, even when they make questionable choices from time to time.
This past year, the district was part of a community-wide effort to better advocate and inform our students and families who may have to appear in court. In cooperation with Daviess County Public Schools and the County Attorney’s office, we now have a person who is in the courtroom with our kids and families to act as a better bridge between the courts and the school system.
The district found the exact right person for this job in Tonya Barr. Watching her serve our families across our community has been noticed and appreciated by everyone: courts, families, and school systems.