May 5, 2006

LANSING -Lois Harvey was surprised today when she was named 2005-2006 Michigan School Support Person of the Year today during a visit from state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. Harvey is a Library Service Coordinator at Hutchings Elementary School in the Howell Public Schools.

“Outstanding school employees like Lois are the lifeblood of good schools around the state of Michigan,” Flanagan said. “This award focuses positive attention on the tens of thousands of dedicated school support personnel across the state who rarely receive public recognition for their work.”

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm expressed the following message for Harvey: "I want to thank Lois for her dedication and commitment to helping our children succeed. She is a great example of the extraordinary people who work hard every day to help our children receive a quality education in a positive environment."

The purpose of the Michigan School Support Person of the Year Award is to honor outstanding school support personnel for their contributions to the success of the learning community, as well as focusing public attention on the tireless work undertaken by school support personnel on a daily basis. This is the fourth year of the program.

“We are delighted to highlight the contributions of school support personnel in every Michigan school with this award,” said Kathleen N. Straus, State Board of Education President. “Lois represents the unsung heroes in support roles in our school districts.”

Harvey, library service coordinator with the Howell Public Schools since 1986, “… is the salt of the earth and beloved everywhere. Lois is, in her heart, in her intellect, and in her action, a giver. Her clearly visible goodness and optimism permeate her work with our students, our parents, our teachers, and our great community,” said Howell Schools Superintendent Charles Breiner.

Allie Okopny, second grader, said, “Mrs. Harvey is helpful to me. She always smiles.”

“Mrs. Harvey is extremely helpful and caring. She is always pleasant with the students, other staff, and parents. She is very understanding and makes great compromises. Whenever children are in the same room with Mrs. Harvey, her energy and brightness light up her face and it is contagious. Mrs. Harvey teaches students to use computers to find and locate books in the library,” said Sarah Lundell, fifth grader.

School principal, Mr. John Clay, said, “Lois feels that her mission in life is to instill a love of reading to all the students she comes in contact with. She is a role model as she is a voracious reader and reads to all of our kindergarten, first and second grade students. She truly supports our students and staff and will always be number one in our hearts.”

Harvey is active in many community activities including the Relay for Life, Salvation Army, and the First Presbyterian Church.

For additional information on the Michigan School Support Person of the Year program, log on to www.michigan.gov/sspoy.