Program Information
Scroll to bottom of page for ceremony information and more!
The Employee Recognition Program was established in 1985 as a way for the Board of Trustees, the Superintendent or designee and co-workers to honor outstanding certificated and classified employees for their service and contributions to the district.
Not all employees who are nominated will receive an award. The selection process for all committees at the sites, and at overall districtwide level, is always a difficult and arduous process as all nominated employees are truly outstanding! Regardless of outcome, it is truly considered an honor to be nominated by a peer, coworker or supervisor.
There are FOUR award categories requiring nomination and selection:
An employee must have at least 10 years of service credit to be eligible to receive a Distinguished Service Award. Various criteria including long term, outstanding contributions to the district, students or profession are required to be nominated. The award may be presented only once to an employee. A special vote is required by the committee present more than a total of 4 awards each year.
Another category is the Special Service Award which may be granted more than once to an employee and do not require a minimum of service years. Criteria to nominate an employee for Special Service Award includes: unusual competence, courage or performance in an emergency situation or under unusual difficulties, and/or original suggestions, developments or major improvements in methods, organization or procedures, or for work on a particular project which resulted in a substantial benefit to the District.
A highlight of the activities, is recognition of the AVUHSD Classified Employee of the Year. Employees are nominated at each site. From that group, site level committees select one employee to serve as each Site Classified Employee of the Year. A district level committee comprised of employees from various fields such as clerical, maintenance, food service, computer/technical, and paraprofessionals then selects the overall AVUHSD Classified Employee of the Year from the group of site recipients. The AVUHSD Classified Employee of the Year may participate further at the Los Angeles County level. Recipients of the Los Angeles County level award may proceed to State and National levels. Nominate a deserving non-teaching employee who went above and beyond this past school year!
In conjunction with Employee Recognition Activities, the AVUHSD District participates in the Teacher of the Year Program. One teacher is selected from each site as a Site Teacher of the Year. From this group, one is chosen as the overall annual AVUHSD Teacher of the Year. The AVUHSD Teacher of the Year will participate further at the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year Program. Recipients of the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year award may proceed to State and National levels.
Annual Ceremony
February 2012 - Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination form on behalf of a colleague! Completed nominations with supporting materials and information were due to your Secretary to Principal by 2 PM, Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Recipients of awards will be announced at the annual ceremony at 4:15 PM on Monday, May 14, 2012 at Eastside High School. Guests should plan on arriving for seating at 4:00 PM. This year's ceremony will be similar to last year's which you can read about below. See ya there! Colleagues recognizing colleagues!
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May 2011 - Last year's ceremony WAS held on Monday, May 9, 2011 in the new theater at Eastside High School. Guests arrived for seating at 4 PM. Mike McCullough led the Palmdale High School Choir through a couple songs, and finished up with the National Anthem with colors presented by the Lancaster Air Force JROTC under the direction of Chielf Melvin.
Mark Bryant, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, served as master of ceremonies and presided over the hour-long ceremony. Along with committee members and presenters, school principals, cabinet, and board members James Lott, Kathy Carothers, Donita Winn and Barbara Willibrand were present to recognize retirees, honor those with 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service, and to congratulate the 2011 Award Recipients.
Due to the budget shortfall, some awards were simplified from a plaque to a certificate. Board, committee and administration sincerely want to recognize all our hard working faculty and staff always, and especially during these difficult financial times.
Hats off to all nominees and recipients of awards! The Tradition of Excellence continues!
From our 2011 Teacher of the Year
May 11, 2011
To My Fellow Colleagues,
For the first time in my life, on Monday [during the recognition ceremony], I did not know what to say…..but now that this honorable award of recognition has sunk in a little…..and I say this from my heart…..it is an honor to be selected as AVHSD teacher of the year. I know that I have the best job in the world and to have the opportunity to work alongside all of you is truly a blessing. I stand together with a wonderful group of people that are respectful, proud, and knowledgeable and have passion for making our society the best it can be, and there it starts with the kids.
I will continue to do the job I have been recognized for and please accept this thank you to you all personally for this honor to serve as your AVHSD teacher of the year.
Sincerely,
Angela Hefter
