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Health & Fitness

Buffalo Grove Recognizes Staff Member Honorees of the Month for 2013-2014

     Every month throughout the 2013-2014 school year, Buffalo Grove High School has recognized the outstanding efforts of a staff member in each division of the building. 

     In September, science teacher Kevin Trow was selected as Staff Member of the Month by the Math/Science division for his dedicated professionalism.  He is always one of the first teachers to arrive in the morning and one of the last to leave, and always makes time to assist students having difficulty. Switching from teaching Honors Chemistry one year to Physics the next, and then being asked to be the lead Honors Chemistry teacher the subsequent year might have brought frustration to others, but Trow took it all in stride.  He is always willing to do whatever is needed to help the department as a whole.

     The Building & Grounds/Maintenance department chose licensed groundskeeper Dennis Brauer as the October honoree for his outstanding year-round efforts.  He is responsible for landscaping, painting, maintaining the football, soccer, and baseball fields, setting up for cross country courses, and snow removal.  Following a 25-year career in District 214, Brauer will retire this June.

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    Ronna Pflanz, culinary arts and fashion design/construction teacher, was the honored November staff member, chosen by the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department.  Anyone who has enjoyed a top-quality meal at the on-site Bison Grill, prepared and served by the ProStart culinary students under her direction, is aware of the high standards that she sets for herself and her students. Pflanz is one of the reasons that Buffalo Grove's CTE students are so successful.  

     In December, Betsy Ludemann was chosen as the Physical Education/Health/Driver Education division's honoree.  Retiring this June, she has had a long and distinguished career as a health education teacher at Buffalo Grove.  She was instrumental in helping elevate the Health curriculum currently used in the classroom.  Ludemann is considered an "incredible" role model to both staff and students and will be missed, as a teacher, colleague, and mentor. 

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     The English/Fine Arts Division nominated English teacher Jeff Vlk for recognition in January. Vlk teaches all levels of English students and actively engages students with his use of innovative technology. This year, he instituted the "Noggin Squad," a group of 25 tech-savvy students who assist their peers and classroom with any technology needs. Vlk's excitement for learning is contagious, and he is a humble leader respected by his fellow staff members and students.

     In February, the school's Food Services honored cafeteria cook Marcy Berkowitz.  Food Services manager Nicole D'Ugo described Berkowitz as "hardworking, helpful and a dependable employee who cares about the food that she prepares for everyone."

     Counselor Polly Knudsen was nominated as the Student Services March Staff Member of the Month. She is a devoted advocate for students who need someone in their corner. Knudsen provides the most current information for anyone seeking scholarships or universities that offer certain majors and will do research to find answers for perplexing questions. She enjoys organizing educational field trips for students to learn and experience colleges, careers and/or culture activities first hand. Knudsen has co-sponsored the Multicultural Club for many years and puts her heart and soul into helping students present the annual Multicultural Show. She will be greatly missed when she retires this year.

     The main office's team of administrative assistants, Peg Ludy, April Wegrzyn, Kym Corbett, Cindy Igyarto and Barb Sittner were selected as the Educational Support Staff honorees for April. Their nominator said, "These women knock themselves out daily for everyone and work as a team to keep things running smoothly in the building. They take care of any and all issues that arise in the main office."

    Jim Farrell was selected as the World Languages/Social Sciences/English Language Learners honoree for the month of May. This social science teacher is enthusiastic, energetic, and successful in his interdisciplinary collaboration with staff throughout the school. His leadership helped provide a valuable experience for the entire freshman class as they learned about DNA through issues related to race, gender, and ethnicity.                                        

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