2023 PTA Founders’ Day
Founders’ Day is a National PTA event in which PTAs across the nation celebrate the founding of the PTA (February 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst). Nationally, the PTA is a network of millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools.
The Dearborn PTA Council observes this day by recognizing parents, teachers, students, staff and community members for their accomplishments, service, and efforts to support the mission and vision of the PTA through a Founders' Day awards event. The Dearborn PTA Council awarded 3 High School students with a $1,000 scholarship (each) and organized a basket raffle to be created from each local school PTA (proceeds go to free Dearborn PTA events and scholarships).
This year, the Lindbergh PTA board was proud to recognize two Lindbergh staff members - Colleen Noe and John Harvey and two Lindbergh parents – Amanda Fawaz and Jasmine Leciejewski at the 2023 Dearborn PTA Council Founders’ Day event. As a PTA board, we were excited to honor individuals at Lindbergh that go above and beyond to support the mission of PTA: To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
Learn a bit about our FANTASTIC honorees:
John Harvey is currently teaching in his 5th year as Lindbergh’s Physical Education (P.E.) teacher. He’s the co-leader of the Student Lighthouse Team, and works on the PBIS and School Culture committees. He leads all school wide assemblies, the CATCH program, the Walk N Roll program, the Heart Challenge and Field Day. He also leads the Miles for Smiles walk/run club in the spring to help students track and reach their personal goals. This year Mr. Harvey (along with Ms. Tiba and the School Culture committee) has been working on a large-scale blacktop paint project to have additional blacktop recess options for the lower elementary, upper elementary and basketball blacktops. The goal of this project is to provide our students at Lindbergh - as well as members of the community - new and exciting locations to explore the mental and physical benefits of outside play.
Colleen Noe is currently teaching in her 25th year (12 years with kindergarten and 13 years with first grade) at Lindbergh. She’s a member of the Teacher Lighthouse Committee and leads the Empowering Learners division of Leader in Me. She is a member of the district Technology Committee and the School Culture Committee (this committee is working on the blacktop project). In addition to the numerous committees she leads or is a member of, she also runs the Boo Grams and Candy Grams fundraisers for Lindbergh and is steadfast student advocate.
Amanda Fawaz has served as the Holiday Boutique Kitchen Chair and Fun Fair Chair for several years, in addition to volunteering numerous times as a Homeroom Parent. She has continuously donated her time at countless PTA events, such as: Teacher/Staff appreciation week, Spring Dance and appreciably more! She has always made sure our boutique baskets are the BEST and has been an advocate of veggies in the kitchen to help keep our Lindbergh students healthy and happy.
Jasmine Leciejewski has served as a Bingo for Books co-Chair and Beautification Chair for a number of years, in addition to volunteering countless times at PTA events, such as: Haunted School, Scholastic Book Fair, Santa Shop, the Variety Show and considerably more! She is a staunch advocate for equity in literacy and helps keep Lindbergh “Green” by organizing waste free lunches and managing a crayon recycling program to help guide our Lindbergh students to care about our planet.
At Lindbergh, we’re beyond grateful for our ENTIRE staff for always guiding our children in kind ways, teaching our students knowledge and skills, and keeping them safe. Our Lindbergh parents consistently go above and beyond through donations of volunteer time, items, lunches, monetary values and significantly more.
Thank you to our Lindbergh community for all that you do!
Previous Staff member Founders’ Day award recipients:
2020: Pina Prather & Katie Robins
2019: Ms. Bush & Ms. Lorber
2018: Ms. Baloga
2017: Ms. Ackerman & Ms. Lybik
2016: Ms. Stetz, Ms. Wilkie & Mr. Murua
Previous Parent Founders’ Day award recipients:
2020: Amanda LeFranc, Melissa Mattison & Edward Mroczka
2019: Gina Berry & Emily Blumenstein
2018: Kimberlee Bogden, Kelly Panackia & Gwynn Bondy
2017: Danielle Lewis
2016: Yvette Abela, Dina Arsenault & Debbie Kohler
Reminders: STEAM Night and Popcorn Friday 2/24!
Have a fabulous day Flyers!
-Lana, Katie, Zeinab, Lisa & Sandra