Fraser schools honor Teachers and Students of the Year; Richards Middle showcases 'student ownership' projects

The Fraser Board of Education honored district Teachers of the Year and student musicians and heard student-driven programming updates from Richards Middle School at its May 6 meeting.

Robin Jenkins was named Elementary Teacher of the Year; Sheldon Santamaria was named Middle School Teacher of the Year; and Tyler Westerhof was named High School Teacher of the Year. The board also recognized Fraser High School student musicians Mitch Nummer (vocal music) and Declan Johnston (instrumental music) as Students of the Year for their programs.

Fraser High School Student Council Executive Board President Kaleigh Nordstrom introduced the incoming 2024–25 executive board (President Angelina Apel; Vice President Lauren Sergent; Secretary Cameron Custance; Publicist Addison Donnelly; Interns Emily Lentine and Sam Argiri). Nordstrom said next week FHS students will vote for next year’s student council members and that the new council will meet in early June to select a homecoming theme.

At Richards Middle School, Mr. Huston Julian and Mrs. Kristi Skladanowski described the year’s theme, “Let’s Grow This Year,” and efforts to expand student ownership. Examples included student-created clubs (Style Statement Fashion Club, Unplugged board-games club), a HOSA-created care closet where students can donate and access personal-care items, the Green Team earning Evergreen status for the first time, themed sports events where students created cards for teachers or family members, and an Ownership in Action Day when 7th graders produced motivational posters while 8th graders took the PSAT.

The board received these presentations as informational items; no formal action was recorded on the presentations.