June 2013

ELLEN DEALE

FREETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

Every school day is a love fest for our June Volunteer of the Month.  One teacher gushes, “She loves our children and our school, and the feeling is mutual.” Another writes, “Our students look up to her as part of our first grade family.”  She even turned down a paid position as lunch monitor because, she explained, “My first love is volunteering.” No wonder she is affectionately known as the “Nana of Freetown!” 

The Board of Education is pleased to honor Mrs. Ellen Deale, an amazing volunteer who dedicates her time, talents, and love to the children and staff at Freetown Elementary School.

Whether she’s called “Nana“ or “Mrs. Ellie,”   Ellen Deale is considered by many to be “the best, the most outstanding volunteer,” to grace Freetown’s halls.  Any day of the week, Ellie is found in the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten or grade one where the teachers know they can rely on her to copy, laminate, prepare activities and to organize many homework packets.  Three years ago Ellie started volunteering in her grandson’s Pre-K class.  She soon took over the distribution and maintenance of the Pre-K “Read to Me, Talk With Me” program, a job she continues to run with dedicated efficiency.  Ellie takes classroom projects home with her daily and returns them the next, with every detail completed exactly as envisioned by the amazed and grateful teachers.

“Ellie is a skilled, knowledgeable, trustworthy, professional, who takes her volunteer duties very seriously,” writes the first grade team.  As the needs arise for project and student supplies, at any grade level, Ellen taps her neighborhood network.  She motivates her neighbors to help Freetown with donations of supplies and to volunteer time.

In addition to her classroom work, “Mrs. Ellie” is happy to assist in the cafeteria, the media center, at PTA functions, Title I Nights, after-school activities, and even in the school office.  Secretaries Linda Yirka and Katie Wukitch depend on Ellie to run the lengthy monthly newsletter.  They know that she will complete this huge task correctly and always with “Ellie’s warm, caring, positive attitude toward everyone… She is well-respected, much appreciated and has a smile that lights up our days.”

Principal Jeffery Haynie gleams, “Mrs. Ellie is the most outstanding volunteer that I have worked with in my 15 years in this county.  We are blessed to have her as a part of the Freetown Family. With her loving attitude, dedication, and competence she makes all of our jobs a bit easier.  Every school should be so fortunate to have a “Mrs. Ellie.”

Ellen Deale, would you please come forward?  With great appreciation, I would like to present this Volunteer of the Month Certificate and Bell to you.