At its 27th Annual Public Recognition Night, the New Britain Board of Education recognized local parents, non-parents, teachers, school administrators and personnel, and businesses for going above and beyond to create a dynamic that enhances the learning environment for city students. The ceremony was held at New Britain High School. Officiating was Ronald Jakubowski, Interim Superintendent of New Britain Schools.
One of the evening's award recipients was Ivana Kirk-Thigpen, Site-Based Coordinator at Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters. Ivana was presented a certificate of special recognition for her day-to-day management of the "Beyond School Walls" mentoring program, which is now in its third successful year.
This innovative mentoring partnership between Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters and Comcast matches 20 students from New Britain's Lincoln Elementary School with 20 Comcast employees for bi-monthly, one-hour-and-a-half mentoring sessions at Comcast's Western New England Regional headquarters in Berlin, where the matches bond, explore academic topics and play games.
"I'm so happy to accept this honor on behalf of Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters," said Kirk-Thigpen. "If there's anything more gratifying than receiving this recognition, it's got to be witnessing firsthand the encouraging progress being made by the children taking part in our 'Beyond School Walls program."
Elaine Cabral, Principal of New Britain's Lincoln Elementary School, said, "Ivana does a wonderful job with her program, and she has such a calming rffect on everybody. She's so deserving of this tribute."
"We thank the New Britain Board of Education for honoring Ivana and her critical contributions to our 'Beyond School Walls' mentoting program," said Andy Fleischmann, President and CEO of Nutmeg Big Brothers. "We are very fortunate to have Ivana as a staff member, and we're also lucky to have the opportunity to partner with Comcast and New Britain's Lincoln Elementary School to make the 'Beyond School Walls' program work."
For detailed information on the New Britain Board of Education, go to: www.csdnb.org.
Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the longest established mentoring organization in the world - founded in 1904. It helps children from single- and no-parent homes avoid negative behaviors and reach their highest potential. Nutmeg does this by creating and maintaining one-on-one relationships between children and professionally screened, inspirational adult volunteers. Based in Hartford, Nutmeg was founded in 1966. It's funded, in part, by United Way organizations. It serves thousands of kids in 111 of the state's 169 municipalities. Help Nutmeg save young lives by volunteering, donating or partnering with us. Visit: www.nutmegbigbrothersbigsisters.org. Or, call toll-free at: 1-800-237-5437 (KIDS). Like Nutmeg on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBBBS?ref-ts. Follow Nutmeg on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBBSNutmeg.
