Volunteers In Public Schools Golden Apple Award

The Baton Rouge Chapter of the Links Incorporated won the 2009 Golden Apple Award from Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) for our work at Capitol Elementary School. In October 2007, the chapter entered into partnership with Eden Park Elementary School and later followed Eden Park students to Capital Elementary for the 2008-2009 school year. The chapter is committed to focusing on providing a range of innovative, substantive, and sustainable programming to support student achievement for the learners of Capital Elementary. The Baton Rouge Chapter of the Links provided assistance to the families of Capitol Elementary with the following activities during that academic year: Rosebuds, Family Literacy Night, Body Walk, Brotherhood/ Sisterhood, Read Across America and 2008-2009 Spelling Bee. The Capitol Elementary community of students, parents, faculty and staff can vouch that our efforts made a meaningful impact on the children we served.

Most people understand the importance of community involvement in the day-to-day operation of public schools, and Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) has recognized outstanding volunteer contributions in East Baton Rouge Parish public schools at its annual Volunteer Picnic and Apple Awards for the past 19 years.  This year, the event took place Thursday, April 23, at University Baptist Church.

At the event, the Crystal Apple Award, the highest award for VIPS’ school volunteers,  was given to the downtown First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge for their more than 25 years of service at Buchannan Elementary School.  The Crystal Apple award is reserved for individuals or organizations who have served in East Baton Rouge Parish public schools for 10 years or longer.  More than 60 elementary, middle and high schools sent in nominations this year.

“VIPS is excited to have received 60 very competitive nominations,” said Shannon Cain, VIPS volunteer director.  “Schools look to this event as a way of saying thank you to community members who share their time and talents with public school students throughout the school year.
VIPS works to foster student success for every child in East Baton Rouge Parish public schools by building support for public education. VIPS facilitates EveryBody Reads, EveryOne Counts and Voyage programs.