Scott Spino Foundation Honored with Friend of Education Award

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Geri Spino

ALBANY, NY (04/13/2015)(readMedia)-- ALBANY, NY – Geri and Jerry Spino of the Scott Spino Foundation have been selected as the recipients of the 2015 Friend of Education award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given to an individual, group, or organization that has consistently contributed to the support and advancement of outstanding public education and the students of New York State.

The Scott Spino Foundation was founded by parents Geri and Jerry Spino in memory of their son and Rochester City School District teacher, Scott Spino, who was killed at the age of 28 by a drunk driver in 2004. Commented Association of Supervisors and Administrators of Rochester Executive Director Tim Wagner, "This was a parent's worst nightmare. How do you go on after losing a son in such a manner? From day one, the Spino's took the positive road. First they came to the school and spent the first days consoling students. I cannot tell you how powerful that was. The students were devastated, but the presence of the Spino's was one of the most powerful scenes I have ever witnessed. No crisis team could have been so effective."

The Spino's are dedicated and community minded supporters of public education, continuing their son's passionate commitment to the success of each of his students and "living a life that matters." In the more than ten years since Scott's tragic death, the Scott Spino Foundation has awarded 29 scholarships, given 12,000 new coats, 16,000 new hats, 16,000 new pairs of gloves, and 30,000 new books, investing approximately $340,000 into the greater Rochester area through the establishment of two programs – the Scott Spino Literacy Program and the Scott Spino Warm Program.

The Scott Spino Literacy Program is currently active in 22 Rochester schools and consists of more than 200 volunteers. The volunteers spend time reading one-on-one with students in kindergarten through second grade. Each month, the volunteers purchase one or two books to read with their student, after which the student is able to keep the book as their own. In addition, the foundation also offers a monthly guest reader event in each classroom. The guest reads aloud the book and copies are distributed to each student.

Understanding the great need of many of the students at the schools that it serves, the foundation annually distributes new hats, gloves, scarves, and coats, as well as a new book to more than 2,000 children in the Rochester City School District each holiday season through the Scott Spino Warm Program.

The Spino's will be honored for their contributions at an awards ceremony on May 8 at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, New York.

SAANYS represents nearly 7,200 school administrators, supervisors, and coordinators. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to providing direction, service, and support to the membership in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools. SAANYS is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

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