| The B.J. Reed Award | | | | lunchroom during breakfast and lunch. |
| | | | Lawrence Looking Elk has established a bond |
| Created in 1988, the B.J. Reed Award | | | | with the parents, teachers and students at |
| recognizes the work of volunteers in the | | | | Sullivan School. The parents of the school |
| Minneapolis Schools. The B.J. Reed Award was | | | | have been overwhelmed by their children love |
| named in honor of Batty Jane Reed who founded | | | | and devotion to Lawrence Looking Elk, who has |
| the Community Resource Volunteer Program in | | | | developed the student's trust in him based on |
| 1965. B.J. Reed was a Minneapolis School | | | | his kind, gentle and understanding approach |
| educator who went on to be an author, poet | | | | toward them. Lawrence Looking Elk has worked |
| and mentor. Originally the Community Resource | | | | closely with the student's in Sandy Chapman's |
| Volunteer Program was intended to give | | | | classroom at the Sullivan School. Ms. Chapman |
| entertainers, craftspeople, professionals, | | | | attributes many of the scholastic gains her |
| civic leaders and other working adults the | | | | students have made to Lawrence Looking Elk |
| opportunity to share their time and skills by | | | | and his work in the classroom. Lawrence |
| becoming a part of the school curriculum | | | | Looking Elk has volunteered in the Sullivan |
| giving classroom presentations. The CRV | | | | Elementary School for three years and donated |
| Program later expanded its focus and became | | | | nearly 3100 hours of his time. |
| the WISE Resource Volunteer Program. This | | | | |
| program aims to have volunteers engaged in | | | | Lawrence Looking Elk is active in other ways |
| various functions across the Minneapolis | | | | in the Minneapolis Schools. He volunteers |
| Schools. B.J. Reed retired in 1981 but | | | | with many organizations including the Parent |
| continued to be an integral part of the WISE | | | | Committee for Indian Education, is Chairman |
| Resource Volunteer Program until her death in | | | | of the Indian Education Board, and South High |
| 1995. The B.J. Reed Award is given annually | | | | School Site Council (PUSH). In addition to |
| to someone who has made outstanding | | | | volunteer work with these groups, he |
| contributions to Minneapolis students and the | | | | vigorously works to raise funds for |
| community. | | | | activities for Native American Students. |
| | | | Lawrence Looking Elk's experience from being |
| Lawrence Looking Elk the 2006 B.J. Reed Award | | | | in the schools and classrooms gives him the |
| Recipient | | | | insight to know what changes are needed and |
| | | | he has the tenacity to work for the changes |
| The Sullivan Elementary School, one | | | | in the Minneapolis Schools that benefits all |
| Minneapolis School, has gained a great deal | | | | students. Lawrence Looking Elk received the |
| from the volunteer work of Mr. Lawrence | | | | B.J. Reed Award at June 13th meeting of the |
| Looking Elk. Lawrence Looking Elk has become | | | | Minneapolis Board of Education. Last month, |
| an almost permanent member of the Sullivan | | | | Looking Elk was also honored by his |
| School community. The work he does at the | | | | colleagues and friends at the Volunteer |
| school includes, but is certainly not limited | | | | Recognition Luncheon held at St. Mary's Greek |
| to, volunteering in the Media Center, out on | | | | Orthodox Church in Minneapolis. |
| the playground during recess and in the | | | | |