Portrait Pioneers

Deb Pikiell & Jennifer DeLorenzo
Submitted: May 9th, 2022

Jennifer Delorenzo and Deb Pikiell are well deserving of the Portrait Pioneer award. This year they collaboratively led the implementation of Learning Adventure Days at PHS. This journey began last year when we started a conversation about how to enrich students' experience at PHS while also ensuring that all students had opportunities to develop the Portrait of the Graduate skills in engaging ways. We also knew that we could do something special for our students because of our great community and our partnerships in Plainville. Anyone who has ever implemented a new idea or program knows that coming up with the idea is the easy part; making the idea actually work is another. Jen and Deb put in hours and hours of work behind the scenes to make our first two learning adventure days seem like they had always existed. This meant creating systems and processes from scratch that had never existed before at PHS. We committed to one 2-hour session for each student for the first one in November and offered approximately 40 adventures for students. Jen and Deb developed ways to market the adventures, give students the ability to choose which ones they wanted, and coordinate the students with the adults running the adventures. This also included post-surveys of students and teachers to make sure any problems could be fixed and get feedback from students to make the adventures, even more engaging for the next time. If all that was not enough, we decided that we would offer full-day adventures with three possible lengths the next time, but all students had to fill a full day, and we increased the offerings to over 70 different adventures. The complexity of planning this cannot be overstated, and Jen and Deb pulled it off seamlessly. In this process, they both demonstrated all the skills that we are working on teaching our students on these days. More importantly, though, they have created a program that will impact students at PHS for years to come. One of the most powerful things I have experienced in Education, was standing in the lobby after our last learning adventure day and seeing the number of students who went out of their way to come over and say thank you at they left because of how amazing the day was for them. That is a credit to all the work that Jen and Deb put in to give this experience to our students.

Nominated by: Carl Johnson

Tricia Rapacky
Submitted: April 18th, 2022

Tricia has been a tremendous source of support for the students and staff at Plainville High School during the pandemic. Plainville High School is our largest school and has had the most Covid-19 cases in the district. Tricia has risen to the occasion and worked tirelessly to support school members, often volunteering to provide guidance, dropping off Covid tests or assisting in vaccination clinics at any time of day or night. Her cheerful personality as well as the empathy and concern she demonstrates for those under her care has been a source of comfort to all. In addition to her role during the pandemic, Tricia has a broad background in nursing and emergency care and is an important resource to both new and experienced school nurses on our team.

Submitted by: Julie Simard.

Mrs. Tricia Rapacky and I started at PHS in the same year, the Fall of 2016. When people think of a school nurse, they think about the job they do for the students; Tricia, though, takes care of our whole community at PHS. Whether it be families calling, people stopping her in the hallways, teachers sending a quick email for advice, or even possibly a principal stopping down to make sure his Blood Pressure is ok, she takes care of all of us because that is what she does. In addition, she has a level of expertise and medical knowledge that is the strongest I have ever worked with in a school setting. I witnessed this firsthand when we had a medical situation with a student during my first week at PHS during dismissal. She immediately sprung into action and began to provide the necessary care to make sure the student was ok until paramedics could arrive. This was also her first week with students, and let's just say I think she handled it better than the brand new assistant principal. I believe that is when I knew that Tricia is someone special who is invaluable to our school. My point is that all of this was true before March of 2020, and she would have deserved this honor because of the work she had done during normal times as a school nurse. However, it would be incredibly remiss of me not to highlight what has happened since then. Tricia and I have gotten to know each other very well over the past two years. I think I have probably spoken to her on the phone more than anyone else during this time. That doesn't include the countless emails or visits to her office for advice. To put it very simply, I would not have been able to lead this place these past two years without Tricia. She worked so hard these past two years that I struggle to express how much she has done. I feel any attempt will be inadequate to the work she has done. I genuinely believe that a critical reason why PHS was able to weather this time better than many other schools in this country is because of the trust that Tricia has with so many of our families, staff, and students. That trust meant that when it came time to get my vaccine at the clinic at PHS in March of 2021, I knew which station I was going to in the gym.

Submitted by: Carl Johnson

Tricia is very knowledgeable about nursing and highly committed to children to make sure they have the supports they need, both inside and out of school. She goes above and beyond the call of duty for our kids and our district. We are fortunate to have a nurse of Tricia’s experience and high caliber working for our school district.

Submitted by: Vicki Trzcinski

Julie Simard and Stacy Buden
Submitted: April 19, 2021

It is my privilege to recognize two incredibly important individuals who have played a truly vital and active role in supporting our district’s COVID-19 preparation and response efforts to follow the DPH and CDC guidelines with fidelity and minimize risk, Julie Simard, RN and COVID-19 Compliance Liaison and Stacy Buden, Human Resources Director. Since this recognition is one I am proposing, I nominated them together, as partners in this work. While we represent the 3 legs on this COVID tripod of initial notification and response, I honestly feel like the much shorter leg, given how much work the two of them do. While the three of us have worked very closely on COVID response actions since August, and continue to do so today, Stacy and Julie are the dynamic duo. They, along with school administrators, school nurses and I have had to respond to and contact trace several hundred cases involving staff and/or students since August, dealing with each reported case from the community that inadvertently came into the schools. The impact of each case has been significant, with regard to time spent investigating the environmental factors, student/staff proximity to others, identifying close contacts in the classroom, school bus and other settings within the school day, looking at possible outside of school contacts. Once identified, next steps included many hundreds of phone calls at all hours of the day or night, parent and staff communication and explanation of requirements, charting and tracking of all of this information in a way that makes it clear when everyone is due to come back, explanation of benefits (that have changed during the year with regard to EPSLA state allowances) and the list goes on and on. During my budget presentations, I have shared how every 3 day weekend and holiday has included a fair share of interruptions and contact tracing needs. While this entire year has been a heavy lift for many, I want to take this opportunity to highlight two of my COVID-19 Rock Stars who are true Portrait Pioneers, demonstrating Communication, Collaboration, Innovation, Mindfulness and Resilience in such an incredible way. Julie Simard manages all duties involved in being the lead COVID-19 Compliance Liaison with excellence, and Stacy Buden has fulfilled her role as Human Resources Director with dedication, commitment, constant availability and excellence as well. I am very grateful to the way that these two individuals have worked with me, our nurses, principals and administrators on all contact tracing, and so much more. Julie and Stacy, thank you for modeling the Portrait of the PCS Graduate by doing all you have done this year, keeping our children, families and staff as safe as absolutely possible while only quarantining those who had to be quarantined rather than taking the easiest approach and just quarantining much larger groups to reduce the work required. I am very fortunate to have both of you to work with!

Nominated By: Steven LePage

Andrew Batchelder
Submitted: January 12, 2021

Always goes above and beyond for his scholars. Makes them feel welcomed and accepted! The scholars have so much fun around him, whether it’s listening to a silly story, telling funny jokes or just his energetic way that he interacts with each and every one of them, all while keeping them engaged and safe.

Nominated by: Rebecca Tyc

Submitted: January 12, 2021

We believe Andrew Batchelder should be recognized as a Portrait Pioneer because...When a Remote C family didn’t realize they could return to in-person learning due to a language barrier, Andrew called home along with the translator to remedy the situation. He explained that the model could be changed when the family requested, which they weren’t aware of. He shared that he “missed seeing” the student at school. So, the very next day the student returned to Wheeler. Andrew has gone above and beyond to make sure remote students have the materials they need to be successful. One example was when Andrew drove to a student’s home to hand deliver to the parent a print out of the student’s schedule and materials. This act shows the length Andrew will go to make sure remote learners are participating with our synchronous teaching and have their materials. When a Remote C student’s attendance to Google Meets was becoming less and less, Andrew went to this student’s house and introduced himself and spoke with my student and his parents outside to encourage him to log on and complete his work. Since that visit his attendance has been much better! Andrew has also made my transition into a new school go very smoothly and has made me feel welcome here! Andrew always goes above and beyond to make our school the best we can be. He uses a collaborative approach and has made what could have been a difficult transition, feel positive and supported during distance learning and the hybrid model. I also admire his visibility within our building, as he is always interacting with students and staff! Andrew views Wheeler students as both academic learners and individual little people. He responds to both their learning needs as well as their personal needs. .He has purchased coats for students needing them and also provided glasses for a student unable to afford them...all from his personal resources. During our renovation, he was a master “juggler”- requests were made for materials, equipment, safety and comfort measures and he responded to each request quickly, thoughtfully, and effectively. Andrew continually expresses his appreciation for all staff contributions with multiple verbal and often written sentiments of gratitude which serves to strengthen the morale and team spirit of Wheeler School. Andrew in the midst of all chaos in this world is always thinking of his Wheeler family, both staff and students. With all that is on his mind (meetings, decisions, coverages, etc..), he always takes the time to stop and greet students and staff on a one to one basis and makes sure we have everything we need. He is always seeking ideas to help the progress of student learning and considering those who are an important part of this progress. He has a lot going on as we all do, but have seen him manage and be flexible in ways that are above and beyond most individuals. Andrew always supports his teachers no matter what! I feel extremely supported by him when there is a situation I need help with. I appreciate that I know I can always go to him for anything. Andrew is also extremely caring. He cares about his students and staff. Numerous times I have seen him help out someone, offer food if we’re staying late for a meeting, or just give a kind word about something he saw in the classroom. He is a great principal!! Andrew is always willing to go the extra mile to support us in any way that he can. He often says “Let me know what you need and I will make it happen.” He is also very passionate about Wheeler School and making it a safe, fun and successful environment for all students. Andrew provided a remote learner with his own daughter’s books/magazines so the student would have more engaging texts to read while at home. Andrew is passionate about the Wheeler community. He is a caring leader who would do anything in his power to help students, staff and teachers. He works hard to be sure all are successful. I admire his collaborative approach and sense of humor. He is a main reason why Wheeler School is like family. Andrew drops everything and gives his full attention to any comment or questions his faculty and staff have. He wants to help out in any way possible so all can be successful. I feel comfortable approaching him with anything that comes up. Despite all of the new changes in scheduling, curriculum, technology, and just teaching during a pandemic in general, Andrew remains positive through it all. He makes sure we have the support that we need to do our best, and always reminds us that we’re doing a great job even when we have those days when we feel like we’re not doing enough for our students.

Nominated by: Wheeler Staff

Plainville Community School District

Portrait Pioneers Program

Portrait Pioneers Nomination Form

Portrait Pioneers Archive