Kathy O'Sullivan receives Fern Creek school’s mentoring award

Kathy O’Sullivan, a ten-year volunteer mentor to students at Fern Creek Elementary School, recently received the John Rinehart Fern Creek Elementary School Mentor Award.

O’Sullivan, a GIS specialist based in Glatting Jackson’s Orlando office, has been volunteering at the school since joining Glatting in 1998. The award was announced by school officials on May 8 at the school’s Volunteer Appreciation Night.

In addition to mentoring, O’Sullivan helps organize an annual pizza party and a book giveaway. This year’s pizza party is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on May 20 at the school pavilion.

Glatting employees began mentoring students at Fern Creek in 1998 as part of an effort to invest in the local community. Fern Creek, located near downtown Orlando, has a high percentage of students who are at-risk or on reduced- or free-lunch programs. When the mentoring program began, Fern Creek was rated an ‘F’ school, but has received an ‘A’ grade every year since 2005.

Earlier this year, Glatting was selected by Orange County Public Schools to receive the Outstanding Partners in Education Award for the mentoring program. Erin Weesner, a wayfinding and environmental-graphics designer based in the Orlando office, accepted the award at a ceremony on May 2 at SeaWorld Adventure Park, Orlando. Weesner mentors at Fern Creek and organizes a start-of-the-year supplies drive.

Each year, between 20 and 50 Glatting employees and family members each spend an hour per week helping students with school work, serving as a role model and being a friendly adult with whom to talk.