NABCCCE

2002 Outstanding Board Award

Good Shepherd School Board
Orlando, Florida

Characteristics that make this elementary school consultative board effective are the diversity of cultures and skills of the members, its commitment, its ability to partner with parents, its fiscal responsibility, and its vision of the future.

It has created several innovative programs. The Teacher Appreciation Program provides incentives and support for teachers. The Security Awareness for Everyone program includes new measures, such as a badge system, to ensure a safe environment. The Educating Parents on the Cost of Education program has been effective. The Points for Progress program involves parents in volunteering 35 hours each year to school projects, for a total of 18,308 hours in 2001. And the Tomorrow and Beyond program involves parents dreaming about what could be in the context of small group discussions. The same procedure is followed for teachers.

These efforts have created a sense of ownership and a sense of pride in the school. The work of the board has played a part in the recognition of the school by Today's Catholic Teacher as a "School for Tomorrow" and its selection by the U.S. Department of Education in 2001 as a "Blue Ribbon School of Excellence."