The View 38002 February 2014 | Page 13

38002.com theview theview February 2014 arlington elementary school AES PTA Lifetime Achievement Awards: Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty By Kizzy Barbee Congratulations to Cathy Silas (AES staff), Nancy Carter (crossing guard), and Heather Vining (PTA Treasurer) for receiving the PTA Lifetime Achievement Award for the 20132014 school year. This award honors those individuals who selflessly go above and beyond to help our students. When entering the doors of AES, Mrs. Silas is there to greet each parent and student. Her warm and friendly personality makes her an absolute pleasure to be around. Working as the Library Assistant for five years, Mrs. Silas got the chance to get to know the students, staff, and parents at AES. These relationships have grown stronger now that she is working in the front office of the school. She treats each and every student with the utmost kindness, and they adore her. She makes parents and guests feel welcomed on campus and is always willing to lend a helping hand to our staff. She is an absolutely invaluable asset to our school. The safety of our children has been placed in the hands of Nancy Carter, one of our AES crossing guards. Families know her as “Ms. Nancy,” and she cares for our children as if they were her own. She takes the time to learn the first names of all of her “kids” and “moms,” which comes in handy Page 13 with the rush of young children that head towards her each afternoon! She can often be seen coming early and staying late to ensure that all our kids cross the street safely. She has even been caught arriving to work early to touch up the paint on the crosswalk to improve visibility of the lines for students and motorists. Crossing paths with Ms. Nancy is a great way for our children to start and end each school day. Heather Vining has been an active member of the PTA for many years, filling a number of roles ranging from room parent to Silent Auction chair and PTA Treasurer. As the Silent Auction chair, her fresh ideas and hard work resulted in successful fundraisers for Arlington Elementary. As any board member of the PTA can attest, a Treasurer’s job is demanding, requiring a great deal of o r gan i za t i o n a nd attention to detail. Heather’s done a fantastic job serving the PTA, and the board appreciates her support. Passionate about AES, you will see Heather’s fa