Thomas named principal of year

LUBECK -- Lubeck School Principal Mary Thomas has been named Wood County Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Wood County Council PTA.

Thomas was recognized for this honor at the county council PTA banquet Monday evening at Blennerhassett School. Other school and PTA personnel also were recognized.

For the Outstanding Educator Award, Robin Mace of Fairplains Elementary School and Sara Slaughter of Emerson School tied for the honor.

Thomas was nominated for the award by Robin Ollis, who is on the county council PTA executive committee.

Debbie Gurtis, Wood County Council PTA president, said Thomas is a wonderful principal and an active supporter of the PTA program.

In her nomination letter, Ollis noted that if Thomas isnát in a classroom reading a book, in the cafeteria opening a milk bottle or intently listening at an impromptu hallway meeting with a parent, sheás working to improve the quality of educational experience for the children of Lubeck Elementary School.

"She delights in every success and feels pain ­ and implements reasonable, rational change -- for every child who struggles. She knows each and every name," Ollis said of Thomas.

Thomas tries to foster an environment at Lubeck School where teachers continuously enhance their skills using research and technology. "She possesses a vision for excellence in every aspect of the school system," Ollis said of Thomas. "She leads a team of outstanding educators and support staff that never lose site of their customers ­ the students."

Parent involvement is welcomed at Lubeck Elementary and is a strong source of energy at the school, Ollis said. Parents can be seen assisting in the cafeteria, school movie night, the âBooks, Blankets and Pajama party, science and social studies fair preparation, Career Day events, trip chaperones and popcorn sales.

"The diversity of background, knowledge and skill brought by parental involvement is celebrated through various volunteer opportunities. The outcome produces children who learn to value and accept human differences and change," Ollis said.

Thomas works closely with the PTA school leaders to address parents and encourage PTA membership, Ollis said.

Gurtis, president-elect of the West Virginia PTA organization, said Mineral Wells School PTA was recently recognized for having the largest PTA membership in the state -- 502 -- and had a 208 percent membership increase over last year. Jamie Friese is president of the Mineral Wells School PTA.

The county council presented honorary life memberships in PTA to Frank Bono, Gary Bailey and Ed Alfred. Fairplains Elementary PTA received the Community Service Award.