Julie Habas named “Exemplary Volunteer of the Year”

Post date: Jun 14, 2017 11:24:28 AM

At the Wells-Ogunquit CSD’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on June 8th, Julie Habas was recognized as the District’s Exemplary Volunteer of the Year for 2016-17. Habas, who is from Ogunquit, has been a school volunteer in the District for the past four years. She volunteers her time in various kindergarten classrooms and maintains the school’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) store.

“I love it, I love children, (and so) I love everything about it,” said Habas about her school volunteer work especially managing the PBIS store. She best describes her experience there as “amazing”. Speaking of the schools 480 plus students who visit the store often she added, “I get to see and touch every one of their lives…There is just so much more to the whole PBIS program." Habas sees students buy small items, including little gifts for their family, with “hoot loot”, a school currency earned by students for displaying positive behaviors in school.

Speaking to the assembled guests at the luncheon on the 8th was Community Resource Coordinator Maryanne Foley and WOCSD Superintendent Jim Daly. “She does a tremendous job for our kids, school, and community,” commented Daly about Habas. “We are very lucky to have dedicated community members like Julie volunteer for our schools.”

The District had 26 volunteers during the 2016-17 school year. Volunteers come from an assortment of backgrounds and are screened and trained by Foley to work in a teaching and learning environment. Although some volunteers work at Wells High School, the majority of volunteers work with students and teachers at Wells Elementary School or Wells Junior High School.

The luncheon this year had a “Taco Bar” theme complete with colorful decorations and festive Mexican music plus a poster that read “Muchas Gracias” on the school’s office door. Volunteers received seed packets and flowers and played a game of Volunteer Bingo.

According to Foley, volunteers, as a whole, contribute hundreds, perhaps thousands of hours of service to the District yearly. Speaking of Habas’ work Foley commented, “Julie worked through many adjustments to the PBIS school store and got it running smoothly. It wouldn't have happened without her. She is almost like staff now at WES.”

Habas’ name will now be added to the Exemplary Volunteer of the Year plaque located at Wells Elementary School. Anyone interested in becoming involved in the WOCSD School Volunteer Program in the fall of 2017 should contact Maryanne Foley at her school email address: mfoley@wocsd.org.

From left to right are WES Assistant Principal Ken Spinney, Maryanne Foley, Julie Habas, and Superintendent Jim Daly

Julie Habas in WES’s PBIS store