LA PLATA — An attendance secretary whose school posted the lowest chronic absenteeism rate among Charles County’s elementary schools was one of five employees the Board of Education recognized at its Nov. 10 meeting.
The board’s monthly staff recognition went this time to two school secretaries, two instructional assistants and a high school science teacher, each nominated by a principal, Charles County Public Schools said.
- Ellen Dobry, registration secretary, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School
- Elliot Lopez, science teacher, Westlake High School
- Alisha Ortman, kindergarten instructional assistant, Indian Head Elementary School
- I’laina Savoy, attendance secretary, Billingsley Elementary School
- Shelbi Warren, instructional assistant, Theodore G. Davis Middle School
Billingsley’s attendance mark
Savoy moved to Billingsley’s front office from building service three years ago. She oversees a school improvement effort tied to attendance, and the school system said Billingsley recently marked a chronic absenteeism rate of 13%, the lowest of any CCPS elementary school.
Principal Jennifer Pangborn called her “a cornerstone of our school community.” Savoy also helps with deposits and substitute assignments, works with car riders, designs the school’s fliers, sponsors the yearbook and is active on its Relay for Life team.
A former student, now at the front desk
Dobry attended Mt. Hope as a child and was its Title I family liaison before becoming registration secretary. She collects the school’s Federal Impact Aid forms, keeps family contact records, monitors the bus radio and stays each afternoon until every student is home.
“Mrs. Dobry is a pillar in our community and assists in any way she can,” Principal Louis D’Ambrosio said.
A greenhouse, a bird festival and a “bat cave”
At Westlake, Lopez has turned his classroom into what the school system described as an interactive bat cave. He manages the school greenhouse, works with the Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center, coaches Wolverine baseball and leads the Environment Club, which puts on the school’s annual Bird Festival.
“Mr. Lopez creates opportunities for students to belong, participate, discover and learn,” Principal Dana Smoot said.
From PTO president to teacher apprentice
Ortman led Indian Head’s Parent Teacher Organization before joining the staff as a kindergarten instructional assistant. She has kept instruction going when her cooperating teacher was out, Principal Shane Blandford said, and older students still seek her out.
She was chosen for the first group in the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, which lets her finish a college degree and work toward teaching certification. Blandford said that reflects “her commitment to the teaching profession and her future as an educator.”
Five years with SOAR
Warren has been an instructional assistant in the SOAR program at Davis for five years. She fills in when colleagues are absent, stays after hours and spends winter Saturdays at Unified basketball practice.
“Simply put, she is the heart and soul of the SOAR program at Davis Middle School,” Principal Tammika Little said. Former students come back to visit her long after moving on, Little said.
Charles County Public Schools enrolls 27,904 students in 38 schools, according to the school system.
