Debby Suchland Named MRTA Region 13 Distinguished Retiree

Debby Suchland, retired Troy R-III staff member, was named the Missouri Retired Teacher Association Region 13 Distinguished Retiree for the year 2017.  This award highlights the volunteer work of MRTA members who have given service beyond the call of duty.  The award was presented recently at the MRTA Annual Meeting in Jefferson City.  Representing the Lincoln County unit of the Missouri Retire Teachers Association, Debby has a personal motto of "Do small things with great love" which is not an all together accurate description of her selflessness as the things she does should not be described as small.  In her community, Debby writes grants and works with local organizations to raise funds for her church to provide backpacks filled the supplies for underprivileged children.  They then give these backpacks out at a carnival-like event for the children and their families.  Last year, they hosted over 1,000 attendees.  Debby has also served as the membership chair for her local Unit and has created a cookbook for the Unit to help fund classroom grants.  Congratulations, Debby!

Once again, the Lincoln County Area Retired School Personnel received the MRTA Unit of Excellence Award for it's activity on the local and state level.

September 13, 2018 Meeting Highlights

The September 13, 2018 meeting was very well attended.  Several newly retired teachers and staff members were introduced and welcomed to the group.

Cheri Winchester, member of the Lincoln County Resource Board gave a very informative presentation on the work this group does in providing crisis-need resources to the youth in our county  (ages 0-19).  These resources are provided by a quarter-cent sales tax that generates over $3 million a year.  Cheri explained how resources are made available to youth in need.  She highlighted the work of several these resources including Crider Health Center and Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services.   The Resource Board's website is: http://www.lincolncountykids.org/

Mrs. Winchester also informed the group about a new residential home being constructed in Troy.  This facility will provide supervised housing for up to seven girls and seven boys who are in high school, homeless and on their own.  Each will be provided their own bedroom, meals and mentors.  They will be given lessons in life skills and given responsibilities in the facility.  The goal is to provide the family structure and life lessons they will need to be successful adults.  Our community has been very generous in creating this space and it hopes to be open and in operation soon.

Leo Pagano, retired middle school educator, followed up with a need all schools have in our county, the need for academic mentors.  He explained the mentoring he and others do during school hours and encouraged members of LCARSP to consider helping, too, as the need is great.   

LCARSP has several CAPERS coming up:

• September 18 - Cooking Class entitled "Eat This, Not That" at the Lincoln County Health Dept. Community Room beginning at 1 p.m.
• September 27 - R-3 including the new Performing Arts Center (PAC) and the new Troy Middle School South facility from 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  Here is the schedule:

                       

Meet at TSMS - 11:15

                

               Tour of TSMS - 11:30-11:45
               Eat lunch with TSMS students - 11:45-12:30
               Travel to TBHS (drive by Building Trades home site) -                               12:30 - 1:00
              Tour of Performing Arts Center and observation of Show                           Choir - 1:00-1:30
              Travel back to vehicles at TSMS
Please let Jan Burlison know if you are interested in attending this event.  jan.burlij@gmail.com

The Annual Region 13 Fall Luncheon will be Tuesday, October 23, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. at the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles.  If you are interested in attending, complete the following application and return it to Virginia Beckley.

The next meeting of the LCARSP will be October 11, 10 a.m. at the Lincoln County Health Dept.  We will be hosting the Missouri Retired Teachers Association Executive Director, Jim Kreider and our new retirees with a carry-in luncheon.  Hope to see everyone then!