Carlinville school district recognizes retirees at staff appreciation breakfast

From left, are Carlinville school district retirees Jeff Donaldson, Rita Bloome, Carol Kaburick, Susan Sronce, Kelly Kaganich, Amy Ratcliff, Randy Gilmore, Elise Schwartz, Roy Kulenkamp, Janet Kroeschel, and Roy Robinson. Bruce Evans is not pictured. Photo by Ruth Gill.

By: RUTH GILL
Enquirer Democrat Reporter

The Carlinville school district held its end of the year staff appreciation and retirement breakfast.

The end of the year breakfast is a tradition. Schuchman said “we start the year together and we finish it together, because that is what family does.” The school district wanted to celebrate the school year, recognized the teachers who received grants, the employees who are retiring and honor the teacher of the year.

The Carlinville Public Schools Foundation works hard to provide grant opportunities for classroom initiatives. This year the foundation gave over $46,000. The president of the Foundation, Jono Vertichio, presented this year’s grant award winners.

The CPSF Grant Winners for 2025-2026 are: Ashley Mullen received $4400 building CHS for 2026 Spring CTE Career Fair FCCLA State and National Conferences; Julianne White and Jodi Jamieson received $4000 building CPS for Interactive Stories; Molly Suttles and third grade team received $1839 building CIS for Hands on experiences for cultural activities; Madi Whittington received $279 building CIS/SMS/CHS for Literacy Speaks- Articulation Materials; Madi Whittington/Crystal Schmidt/Gracie Jones received $2000 building CPS/CIS for two communication playground boards; Darci Boston received $3500 building CPS for Play based learning initiative; Amy Petrovich received $1300 building CMS/CHS for Intentionally cultivated classroom; Melissa Suits received $4200 building CPS/CIS for Art Fair and supplies for projects; Stacey Stiener and Liz Furness received $5934 building CHS for Excel Club supplies for all grades; Lane Harmon received $4800 building CMS/CHS for Harmony Director and Marimba; Fifth Grade Team received $550 building CIS for Traditional Angel tree toppers; Erin Crain received $2080 building CPS for Mystery Science Kits; Kelly Behme received $460 building CPS for Speech Sound Cues/Science Language; Hillary Kellerman and Siri Engstrom received $1190 building CMS/CHS for Recycling; Siri Engstrom received $400 building CHS for Prepare dishes from Spain and Latin America; Molly Daggett and Crystal Schmidt received $710 building CPS for Sensory Bins; Second grade team received $1746 building CPS for Hands on art projects for Science and Reading; Rose Grace and Mallory Daugherty received $1710 building CMS/CHS for Clay and glaze; Rose Grace received $2043 building CMS for year’s worth of art supplies; Mallory Daugherty received $1096 building CMS/CHS for Stage design and core art material; Melissa Williams and CIS AR Committee received $810 building CIS for Accelerated Reader program; Andrea Leefers received $495 building CMS for SEL for Cavie Foundation Class; Melissa Williams received $400 building CIS for Replacing well loved books for biographical studies; Ryan Bowman and Darrin DeNeve received $1000 building CHS for CHS Math Team assistance.

Beyond the grants, the Public School Foundation, at Christmas time, also contributed gift certificates for the 12 days of respect and different individuals received those. In addition, a few years ago, they wanted to do something to honor more people, not just through the grants. So the members on their own and out of their own pocket, purchased gift certificates to be able to give out to several as just a sign of appreciation for what everybody does across the district. Names of individuals were drawn to win the gift cards. The winners of the gift cards were Daniel Hayford, Russ Reynolds, Julie Behme, Jessica Ryan, Elizabeth Furness, Mallory Daugherty, Hillary Kellerman, Molly Suttles, Dustin White, Vicki Joiner, Marissa Rosentreter and Marcy Welsh. The school district would like to thank the Public School Foundation for all they do and how they support the staff throughout the year.

Read full story in June 19, 2025 issue of the Macoupin County Enquirer Democrat.