UCDSB Principal’s Red Apple Award winner Silvia Speck is about to retire

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AVONMORE — Having grown up on a farm near Moose Creek, Silvia Speck is very familiar with red apples falling from trees — but this one was more like a bolt out of the blue.

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“It was completely unexpected, I was really blown away,” said Speck, one of seven 2024 Principal’s Red Apple Award recipients honored at the Upper Canada District School Board Gala Dinner held Monday in Kemptville .

UCDSB Director of Education Ron Ferguson made the presentations, The Red Apple Award went to those who have done much more for children than what the usual responsibilities entail.

For Speck, a teacher for 12 years – at North Stormont School in Berwick and at Memorial Park in Cornwall – and then headmaster for 17 years, it came naturally.

“I’ve always loved working with children, it’s my passion,” said Speck, the principal for the past five years at Avonmore Public School (formerly Roxmore PS), and before that at Eamer’s Corners and Laggan, and at Viscount Alexander where she was deputy director.

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“I am proud to have always worked to put children first in my career and to ensure that the team I have worked with do everything possible to help children succeed and make the school the best place it can be be. for them.”

Ferguson highlighted the before and after school activities that Speck organized; one is the Grade 5-6 Power Hour before school, which starts at 8:30 am and focuses on indoor and outdoor physical activity, healthy food, building relationships – and just having fun doing something different.

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And, being in an agricultural hotbed, Avonmore PS makes children forget their roots by reminding them where their food comes from, with an indoor ‘Grow Wall’ and an outdoor garden run by the school board.

Speck, a former Tagwi Secondary School student, was one of 36 UCDSB individuals recognized at the banquet earlier this week – and was celebrated twice, also being presented with the Ontario Principal’s Council (OPC) Award, also known as the Ted Kennedy Award of Character, given to UCDSB principals who embody the spirit and character of the late superintendent.

The meeting was told that Speck had an exceptional dedication to supporting and caring for children and families throughout his career.

Speck is only weeks away from retirement, but the support and care will continue, albeit in a completely different area. For the past three years, Speck has been a part-time student at Yorkville University completing her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) and will soon be employed full-time at Central Healing Counseling in Cornwall, working with children. and adults.

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Speck said the past three years wouldn’t have been possible without the “tremendous support from my family”; she is married to John Meek, and the couple has three grown children, including veteran Cornwall Jr. Colts player Zack Speck-Meek.

Red Apple awards were presented to several teachers, a superintendent, an office administrator and, for the first time, a student. Among those celebrated earlier this week was Superintendent Jennifer Perry, former principal at Bridgewood PS in Cornwall.

Service Excellence Award winners included “Yellow Team” Crystal Phifer and Lindsey Stuart-Kinder of Iroquois Public School. The teacher and early childhood educator duo won the group award for their exceptional dedication and innovative approach to education.

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The Innovation Award winners were teachers Colleen Leslie (Seaway District High School), Joel Exner (North Dundas District High School) and Erin Ritchie (St. Lawrence Secondary School).

The three music teachers won the award for the innovative creation of the SDG Mass Band event. When a local community event was canceled for 2024, the group organized a full day of workshops with local musicians and music professionals, culminating in a public evening that attracted a large crowd.

And Scott Currie, a teacher at North Dundas District High School, won the award for his outstanding contributions to the integration of STEM technology in his school.

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