Pine Island Elementary recognizes volunteers
In recognition for the countless hours and dedication by volunteers at Pine Island Elementary School, 20 school aides were treated last week to a special brunch. Overseeing the occasion was school volunteer coordinator Pam Anderson.
“What you do for these kids is amazing. Each year the things you teach the boys and girls and the way you touch their lives is incredible,” said Anderson. “We so appreciate you and all the things you do.”
Principal Rob Mazzoli also paid tribute to the volunteers present for the brunch.
“Thank you volunteers from the bottom of my heart for all you give the students. Our kids talk about you and consider you role models because of the time and dedication you share,” said Mazzoli. “You show them all of the opportunities they have and this has made them better, well rounded students.”
As the volunteers received their certificates of recognition, each was asked to share something they have experienced with the students they help.
“I remember one morning going to a fifth grade class and one student rushed to greet me saying, ‘I am so glad to see you here today because I need help with everything,'” said fifth grade volunteer Denise Romeo.
V Bridges is among those who bring their dog to school each week for a special reading program.
“I love it when I go in with the dog and one of the kids sits with her, petting her while they read. It’s just wonderful,” Bridges said.
Lee Johnson also brings his chihuahua in for reading with the students and last winter encountered a situation with one student that was something of a challenge.
“I hear a lot of stories from the kids and when one girl came in to read I noticed she was being very quiet. I asked her how her holiday was and she told me that her father had been killed in a fight and that she missed him very much,” said Johnson. “I was not at all prepared for this, but I told her that she read beautifully and that her father was watching. I later found out that she was very comforted by what I had said and it made me feel like I did a good job.”
In closing, Anderson asked the volunteers to help recruit others to dedicate time to the school.
“Living on an island we all have to depend on each other and that is crystallized here at the school,” Anderson said. “You are all helping the kids to become productive citizens and that is so very important. Tell you friends and neighbors that we need their help as well and welcome them to the school.”
Currently there are 68 school volunteers at Pine Island Elementary. According to Anderson, this number is much lower than in past years.
“Typically we have up to 150 volunteers but for various reasons they have not returned to the school,” said Anderson. “A big part of the lack of return volunteers has to do with the economy. Many of our volunteers are seasonal residents who did not return to the island this year and others have had to go back to work to help their families financially, but the volunteers we do have are hard working and are a wonderful asset to the school.”
Those who cannot physically dedicate time to the school can also help by participating in a program called “Box Tops for Education.” By collecting box tops from hundreds of products and turning them into the school, each box top will earn 10 cents for the school. Twice a year the Box Tops program will send a check to the school for each box top coupon redeemed up to a total of $20,000 each year. So far, Pine Island Elementary has earned $500 in credit from the program. Just a few of the eligible box tops include Betty Crocker baking products, Kleenex tissues, Hefty products, Post cereals and many more.
For more information about the Box Tops for Education program, visit btfe.com and to learn more about becoming a school volunteer, stop in at Pine Island Elementary School to pick up an application.