District honors volunteers at luncheon with Kerry DeStefano named Exemplary Volunteer of the Year for 2019

Post date: Jun 13, 2019 1:22:27 PM

The Wells-Ogunquit CSD has selected Kerry DeStefano as the “Exemplary Volunteer of the Year” for the 2018-19 school year. This award was presented to her on June 6th during the District’s annual volunteer appreciation luncheon honoring the year’s school volunteers with the theme of “We Have the Best Volunteers in the World.” Decorations at the luncheon included world maps and globes.

Wells-Ogunquit CSD Resource Coordinator Maryanne Foley announced DeStefano’s selection to the audience. Foley said that DeStefano has “been invaluable to our staff this year. She has been volunteering almost every day since September, and rarely takes a day off.” Foley added that DeStefano, grandmother to two kindergarteners, works with the FLEX reading groups in the Kindergarten program and grade one.

“I am mortified because that’s not what I am. I am not one that likes the limelight…” said DeStefano modestly regarding this distinction. But, she added, “I love working here.” DeStefano begins her day reading with kindergarten students then moves on to work with first-grade students learning math eventually ending up in the school’s library to shelve books and perform other duties there. “Every day is a whole new day. It’s like having a new job every day; you don’t know what it’s going to bring.”

As with the previous school year, about 300 people volunteered varying amounts of time this school year. District volunteers are primarily composed of parents of students, students from Wells High School and retired community members.

“Kerry has become an integral part of our staff here at WES,” commented Wells Elementary School Principal April Noble. “She arrives each and every day and has plans that last a full day, most of the time. She is valued by so many of our staff and they look forward to the support she can provide, whether it be reading with students, running literacy stations, shelving books or assisting in classrooms with managerial tasks.

“I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” for dedication to “the kids,” said Superintendent Jim Daly in a talk to the volunteers who were able to attend the lunch.

According to Foley who organizes the volunteer program, volunteers give whatever time that they can or want to as clerical, classroom, library and/or project assistants. At WES volunteers may work in classrooms, the computer lab, the art room, the library or wherever else they may be needed. Anyone interested in volunteering in the Wells-Ogunquit CSD should contact Foley in September at 646-5953, ext. 4204.

In the photo (l to r) is WES Principal April Noble, Kerry DeStefano, Maryanne Foley and

WOCSD Superintendent Jim Daly.