MAY 22, 2012 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Education Day

Club 10 Business Report

President Doug Bruce brought the meeting to order. He provided a special guest introduction for Tracey Lenarz, Circulation Manager, Newspapers in Education, with the Pioneer Press (noting the ad in today's paper regarding Education Day and that each Education Day student would be given a copy of today's edition).  Jerry Faletti led the assembled Rotarians and Saint Paul Public School guests in singing America the Beautiful, accompanied by Doug Hartford on the piano.  Carol Bufton provided today's invocation.  Maria McLemore facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests.  Today's Greeters were David Laird and Trixie Golberg.

Kathleen Riley provided a description for guests and an update for members on the work at Cleveland Circle with a continuing request for volunteers.  Jim Delameter reminded the membership of the upcoming Fellowship Day on Tuesday, June 5, at the White Bear Yacht Club.  Further details about the event are available elsewhere on the website.

President Doug then returned to the podium to kick off the Education Day observance.  He introduced Mike Anderson, Executive Director of the Saint Paul Public School Foundation, to introduce the student recipients of the Rotation Forward awards.  Mr. Anderson asked a counselor at each school to introduce the students receiving awards.  President Doug awarded a plaque from the Saint Paul Rotary Club for each school listing all student recipients of the Rotation Forward award.  Mr. Anderson also announced that each student also received a $25 Target gift certificate.

Rotarian Scott House was asked to introduce this year's recipient of the "Teacher of the Year Award," Timothy Leone-Getten.  He teaches at the Open World Learning (OWL) Community.  He thanked Rotary for the award and for the Saint Paul Rotary Club's annual support to the selection process and Education Day.  President Doug also awarded a plaque and separate monetary award from the Saint Paul Rotary Foundation to Mr. Leone-Getten.

President Doug asked Rotarian and Saint Paul School Board member John Brodrick to the podium to introduce Saint Paul School Superintendent Valeria Silva.  Dr. Silva has been with the Saint Paul school system for 25 years.  She provided inspirational and challenging remarks for those in attendance.  She congratulated Mr Leone-Getten on his award.  Dr. Silva also reminded the audience of the vital role that free public education for all plays in our society and asked for everyone's commitment to ensuring that it continues.

President Doug concluded the meeting by noting that Education Day is a prime example of the Saint Paul Rotary Foundation in action.  This is investing in education.  He again congratulated all of the students for their awards.  He reiteratred his congratulations to Mr. Leone-Getten for the "Teacher of the Year Award." The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.