Teachers, Custodians and Administrators Honored as This Year’s “Friends of the PSO”

Every year, each Brecksville-Broadview Heights school’s Parent School Organization names a “Friend of the PSO,” a person who went above and beyond in helping the organization, parents and students throughout the year. The honorees must work at the district and can only receive the award once every 10 years.

The honorees were named in the spring. The presidents of each PSO provided Brecksville Patch with the names of this year’s “Friends,” along with the reasons why they were chosen. Those reasons are summarized below:

• CAPA Coordinator Kelly Lazar: The high school’s PSO tries to pick a “Friend” who serves the entire district, and Lazar was a good fit as the head of the Community Awareness and Prevention Association. She attends every PSO Council meeting to give updates on CAPA programs and has been a guest speaker for the high school’s PSO, helping parents with concerns about drugs and alcohol.
• Physical Education Teacher Maria Schneider: Schneider served as the PSO’s “teacher liaison,” and offered to sign up for the duty without even knowing what it entailed. She quickly passed along information from the PSO to the middle school staff.
• Custodian Zelma Chandler: Chandler is patient and always there for the PSO during evening events. She really helped the rehearsals for the variety show go smoothly as more than 100 students and parents filled the school.
• Principal Beverly Chambers: Chambers worked behind the scenes to support the PSO, ensuring the group’s success. She also loves the students and really appreciates the staff at Chippewa.
• 2nd Grade Teacher Kelly Boczulak: Boczulak is a member of the PSO who attends many events and is always willing to volunteer.
• Custodian Josh Tewell: Tewell is always flexible when helping the PSO get ready for events, addressing needs and problems before even finishing his regular work. He also has a “fun loving personality,” which he showed off by dressing up for Halloween.

Have any of these “Friends” touched your life? Share your stories in the comments!