Each month, Crumbl Cookies recognizes outstanding students and staff at Independence Middle School, honoring those who demonstrate excellence inside and outside of the classroom.
The following students and staff members were selected as the Crumbl Cookies Students and Staff of the Month for the most recent recognition period:
Students of the Month:
- Cayden Diener – Unified Arts Department
- Violet Conroy – Foreign Language Department
- Delaney Natto – Physical Education & Health Department
- Bria Lang – Music Department
- Achol Bak – Central Office & Counseling Department
- Maggie Metti – Team Unity
- Haydie Kalka – Team Valor
- Samuel Soto – Team Freedom
- Kylie Lang – Team Integrity
- Mason Gualazzi – Team Liberty
Staff of the Month:
- Kevin Connolly - Teacher, Gifted Support
- Joe Navari – Teacher, Business Computer Information Technology (BCIT)
Only staff members may nominate students for recognition. Each team or department submits its monthly selection to teachers Jason Turka and Kristen Fonda, who oversee the monthly recognition program. They, in turn, work with the school’s principal, Mr. Jim Fodse, and assistant principal, Mr. Tyler Dillinger, to cultivate the final list.
Staff members of the month are nominated by their colleagues and students and are chosen for the value they bring to improve IMS students’ experiences. Winners chosen by the IMS leadership team.
Each honoree receives a certificate, a Student of the Month magnet for their locker, and a $15 gift card and cookie from Crumbl Cookies. The students also receive a notecard of specific feedback as to why they were selected.
Crumbl Cookies has sponsored a similar recognition program at Bethel Park High School since 2023 and has graciously agreed to extend it to IMS for this school year.