Minneapolis School District Honors Volunteers

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