At the September 10th Board of Education Meeting, Littleton Public Schools recognized members of the Senior Citizen Tax Rebate Program for their 10th and 20th anniversaries as dedicated volunteers. LPS Superintendent Brian Ewert and Board of Education members celebrated Irene Cornish, Ellen Backes, Caryl and Paul Morrell, Dee O’Donnell, Barb Schuler, and John and Betty Dickinson, who from unique backgrounds have similarly shared their compassion, perspectives and life experiences with LPS students.

Irene Cornish, a volunteer for ten years, spends dedicated hours in the Highland Elementary School library managing the magazine display, processing all new magazines for students, shelving returned books and doing shelf reading to make sure the collections are in order. She is also the lead volunteer for the PTO Boxtops for Education program that collects coupons for the PTO fundraiser. Always with a smile, Irene volunteers to help anytime the school hosts a special event.

Ellen Backes, a volunteer for ten years, also worked for twenty years in the Arapahoe High School library prior to retirement. After retiring, Ellen joined the I Love to Read program at Hopkins Elementary School, volunteering every Tuesday and Thursday to read one-on-one with pre-k through third grade students. She has been instrumental with the program, giving students a chance to practice fluency and to discuss the books they have chosen to read.

Paul and Caryl Morrell, volunteers of ten years, spend devoted volunteer time at Hopkins Elementary with the I Love to Read program. Caryl started her volunteer service with the reading program at Whitman Elementary and followed it to Hopkins Elementary when Whitman closed. Paul tutored at Goddard Middle School for seven years and volunteered in the school’s library before joining the I Love to Read program. Through the Optimist Club, Paul and Caryl also help students at both East Elementary and Field Elementary. 

Dee O’Donnell, a volunteer of ten years, brings the magic of storytelling to LPS through the Spellbinders program. In addition to monthly storytelling in nine classrooms at Wilder Elementary and Peabody Elementary, Dee is the first to volunteer for evening literacy events and other activities. She is known for having a special connection with both of the elementary schools’ youngest students and “Storytelling with Dee” has become a popular silent auction item at fundraisers.

Barb Schuler, a volunteer of ten years, spends her dedicated time in a second grade classroom at Twain Elementary. Barb helps with everything from one-on-one reading, to administering spelling tests, to reading aloud to the class to clerical work. She is a vital part of the classroom and students learn from her many talents and caring disposition.

John and Betty Dickinson have been volunteers in the Senior Citizen Tax Rebate program for an amazing twenty years! John and Betty began volunteering in the kitchens of three different schools. When they decided it was time for a change, they moved to the I Love to Read program at Whitman Elementary. As a part of the core group of volunteers, they followed the I Love to Read program to Hopkins Elementary. Through the one-to-one reading program, John and Betty have developed valuable relationships with individual students. They have not only helped students to improve their reading skills, but have been positive and caring influences in the lives of these young learners. John and Betty also just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary!

Littleton Public Schools is blessed to have so many giving volunteers who have had such a profound impact on the community. “We get so much more from it than they do; they volunteer way beyond the hours for which we can pay them,” said Superintendent Ewert. “They add perspective, history and a lifetime of experience to these students’ lives—their contribution is truly priceless.”

Pictured: (From left) Dee O’Donnell, Barb Schuler and John and Betty Dickinson were celebrated for the compassion, perspectives and life experiences they have shared with LPS students as longtime volunteers.