Jana Kipp, a social worker at Glasgow Elementary School, received the Spirit of Little Bit Award from The Little Bit Foundation. Kipp was honored at the organization’s 18th Annual Join the Journey Gala on Nov. 1.
Kipp was honored for helping to serve the social-emotional needs of her students and working to ensure that all students have the resources needed to be successful.
“Winning the Spirit of Little Bit Award is a great honor,” stated Kipp. “I am grateful for our partnership with The Little Bit Foundation because it has truly transformed my approach to meeting my family’s needs.”
"Congratulations, Mrs. Kipp, on this well-deserved recognition," exclaimed Kasia Landa, principal at Glasgow Elementary School. "Team Glasgow deeply appreciates your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts to support our students with such compassion and care."
The Little Bit Foundation described Kipp as "very passionate about supporting children and fostering positive change, as a social worker" and noted that she provides social-emotional support to students, addresses basic needs for families and collaborates with various community agencies.
Precious Barry, a graduate of Riverview Gardens High School, was also featured at the Join the Journey Gala. Barry was featured in a video promoting the impact that The Little Bit Foundation had on her time as a student attending RGHS.
Barry, who is now a student at Washington University in St. Louis, thanked The Little Bit Foundation, Riverview Gardens High School and Riverview Gardens School District for providing resources and support to help her succeed and earn a full scholarship at WUSTL.
Barry recently published “Why I Use My Voice,” a children's book encouraging children to speak up and utilize their voices to help bring about change.
“In my early adolescence I struggled a lot with knowing my purpose,” Barry wrote. “I didn’t know that I could speak up when things were going wrong, in my community, household, friendships, or even school. As I grew older, I knew that it was imperative to make a difference.”
Barry’s book will be available to all RGSD elementary scholars through the school libraries. It is also available to purchase on Amazon.com.