Barbara Stunzi has been volunteering at Crownhill Elementary since 2017. She volunteers at the school several times a week and is in all three of her daughters’ classes on a regular basis. This year she is facilitating a book club for fifth graders, helping with Language Arts in fourth grade, leading a weekly fluency reading program for second grade, and reading in the classroom with first graders. Barbara also loves to help with art projects and prepare materials for the teachers.

“I really enjoy working with each of the kids and getting to know their personalities while they learn and grow over their years at Crownhill, " Barbara said. “I love supporting literacy programs and working on reading skills so students can fall in love with reading and have the world at their fingertips with books.”

“Barb has been a huge support for our Crownhill family as a mom and a loyal volunteer, said Danielle Walsh, Crownhill’s volunteer coordinator. In addition to her regular volunteer responsibilities, Danielle says Barb is always willing to help out at school events.  “We truly appreciate Barb!”  

Fun fact about Barbara: She grew up in Alaska and each summer her family returns to Alaska to work on a peony farm.

Thanks for all you do, Barbara!

Kathy Cates is a new volunteer at View Ridge Elementary Arts Academy this year - but she’s not new to volunteering for the District. She’s made a huge impact as a volunteer the past eight years at Crownhill Elementary where many days got to school before students arrived, and stayed until after they left! 

At Crownhill she is known as a “powerhouse” that gets things done so it’s no surprise that she is having a very positive impact at View Ridge as well, where she volunteers in Pip Thompson’s third grade class. 

Kathy is willing to help with and thoroughly enjoys whatever task is needed at either of the schools where she volunteers.  She says that she finds helping out at the schools is very rewarding - and students and staff at both schools love having her there!

When schools were closed due to COVID, Kathy wanted to continue volunteering and was instrumental in launching The Kindness Project. Since 2020, she personally has written hundreds of kindness cards for the project. 

Fun fact about Kathy: For the past few years, Kathy has logged in the most volunteer hours every year- out of all volunteers - in the District!  

Bremerton High School Robotics Team is fortunate to have Tyler Kerle back for a second year as a volunteer for the Bremerton High School Robotics team “BremerTron.” He enjoys sharing his knowledge - and the joy and fun of robotics - with the next generation as he works to help students design, build and wire their robot. Tyler has also been also instrumental in helping procure needed supplies, and helping with outreach for fundraising.

“Tyler puts in an extraordinary amount of effort into our team,” said Blake Greisinger, BHS robotics teacher and BremerTron Coach. “He is present every day for our build and tournament season which is about eight weeks long. As an electronics mechanic his skills and knowledge are invaluable in helping to teach students how to properly wire and prepare the robot for competition.”

Fun fact about Tyler: He has served as judge and robot inspector at several robotics competitions throughout the state of Washington.

  Tia Foote

This is Tia Foote’s first year volunteering at Kitsap Lake Elementary. She started volunteering because her son asked her to help with the school’s new after-school choir. She enjoyed working with choir teacher Katheryn Donaldson (or Ms. D) and the students so much she continued to help in a variety of ways -  volunteering in the classroom, during school daytime events as well as after school activities. She’s also involved in PTA. “It’s been so exciting being a small part of my son’s day!” Tia said

“Miss Tia, also known as our Choir Mom or Drama Mama is one of the best parent volunteers I have had the pleasure of working with,” said Ms. Donaldson.  “She has great rapport with the students, always has their best interest at heart and helps organize and run rehearsals to benefit the entire group.  She goes out of her way to enhance the after school program we are building here by bringing treats for the students, meeting with me after hours and over spring break for planning and is helping me collect and create costumes for our upcoming musical.  Her devotion to the students and the program are evident in all her actions and I am so glad she is a part of our KLE team and family!”

Fun Fact about Tia: She loves Broadway musicals.  This is just one of the reasons that having her as a volunteer with the KLE Choir is a terrific fit!

  Anna Rost

Three of Anna Rost’s four children attend Armin Jahr Elementary (AJ) - and the fourth will be an AJ Orca in a few short years.  Anna has enjoyed volunteering in her older children’s classrooms, and this year she’s a volunteer in Ashleigh Oliver’s kindergarten class with her son.  

Anna is at AJ almost every day and all of the students in her son's class know her and are excited when they see her walk through the door.  “Anna shares a love for kids, enjoys joining in classroom activities, learning alongside the students and is eager to assist in any way she can in the classroom,” said Mrs. Schiano-Oliver. “Mrs. Rost is kind, generous and supportive not only toward the students but toward staff. She has been a lifesaver and has personally made my life easier and I appreciate all of the hard work she puts in and the friendship we have made. Armin Jahr is lucky to have her as a volunteer.”

While Anna spends most of her time in Mrs. Schiano-Olivers’s room, she recently had the opportunity to chaperone fourth graders for a salmon release field trip! 

Fun fact about Anna: Anna and her family enjoy spending the summer camping and crabbing at Illahee State Park.

  Margaret Rodriguez, StandUp For Kids

Margaret Rodriguez has a passion for serving others. She has been volunteering with StandUp For Kids for 11 years and currently she oversees the operations of the Kitsap County StandUp For Kids - a national organization working to end the cycle of youth homelessness.

StandUp For Kids supports local homeless and at-risk youth by providing essentials such as food, clothes, hygiene products, school supplies and more. These essentials are delivered at least weekly by Margaret and other StandUp For Kids volunteers to Bremerton High School, Renaissance High School and Mountain View Middle School for students in need of assistance.

“Margaret also has provided clothing, toiletries, and specialty items as needed, like maternity clothes, food boxes for families for students who are homeless to help accommodate the family who is temporarily housing them. She’s also provided sleeping bags for those who are experiencing homelessness.” said Leslie Daugs, Renaissance High School Student Advocate & Campus Security. “But this does not end here! At the end of the year, she provides gift bags to all RHS graduating seniors!”

Fun fact about Margaret:  A young man who received services from StandUp For Kids said that he graduated because of the support from StandUp For Kids.  When he got his first job, he donated to StandUp For Kids from his first paycheck because he wanted to give back to the organization that helped him so much!

Last year Mt. View Middle School (MVMS) launched a new volunteer program called The Parent Crew.  The goal is to have at least one Parent Crew Member at school during lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but most days there are two or three at each lunch (volunteers are welcome to participate as their schedule allows). Parent Crew volunteers greet students, engage in conversation, and offer a friendly ear. This all contributes to a sense of belonging and inclusivity among students. 

“The Mountain View Parent Crew has proven to be an invaluable asset to our middle school community,” said Mitchell Julie, MVMS Assistant Principal. “Their dedication to fostering a positive and supportive environment during lunch hours has had a profound impact on student well-being and the overall school atmosphere.”

“The warmth and encouragement provided by parent volunteers not only boosts student morale but also fosters stronger connections between families and the school community.  We are truly grateful for the Mountain View Parent Crew and their unwavering commitment to our students,” Mr. Judie added. 

Thank you MVMS Parent Crew volunteers!

  Ashleigh Spencer  

Ashleigh Spencer has been volunteering in the Bremerton School District since 2016. Currently she volunteers at Mountain View Middle School for Mr. Simmons, and as a member of the MVMS Parent Crew. She also volunteers in her daughter’s class at West Hills STEM Academy. 

Ashleigh is working on a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education. Volunteering in a school setting provides her with experience that will be beneficial when she becomes a teacher.   

Fun fact about Ashleigh:  She is an anime/gamer nerd (her words) who used to cosplay “back in the day.”

Ben Anderson

Ben Anderson has volunteered for the Bremerton School District for the past 10 years! He’s been active at Bremerton High School, Naval Avenue Elementary, and most recently he joined the MVMS Parent Crew.

“These kids are the future of our community. Anything to give them positive guidance, structure, or just someone to talk to will hopefully be a benefit to all,” Ben said. 

Fun fact about Ben: He traveled to Antarctica twice and the North Pole once during his 20 year career in the US Coast Guard.

The Bremerton Backpack Brigade (BBB) provides weekend food support for students for approximately 150 families (between 350-400 children) in all of our elementary schools. 

Each week dedicated BBB volunteers, led by Myra Battin & Sherrill Gross, work to stock the shelves and fill backpacks with weekend meals that students will take home on Fridays. During school breaks, the families are provided with boxes with a week’s worth of food instead of backpacks.  For spring break earlier this month, BBB distributed about 180 boxes of food to help families get through spring break with full bellies! 

BBB relies on cash and in-kind donations, and is always looking for new volunteers.  If you’re interested in volunteering, hosting a food drive, or donating, please visit Bremerton Backpack Brigade. 

Here are a few fun facts about the Bremerton Backpack Brigade:

• Fresh fruit and veggies go home weekly in the backpacks to ensure kids are getting vital vitamins and minerals. BBB spends about $700 each week to fill backpacks with these healthy, nutrient dense food options.

• Each month the Bremerton Backpack Brigade sends home $25 protein vouchers that can be used at local Bremerton stores to help purchase proteins that can't be sent home in backpacks like meat, eggs and cheese.

• Canned foods are an easy way to ensure kids are getting proteins and veggies in their weekly backpacks. BBB tries to send home two different canned proteins (beans, chili, canned chicken, tuna, spam) as well as a can of vegetables every week.

A special thank you:  Co-founders Myra Battin & Ann Horn will be retiring from the Brigade at the end of this school year.  Thank you both for your many years of dedication to the students of the Bremerton School District.  

  Alistair James 

Alistair James is the parent of a first grade student at West Hills STEM Academy. 

Every morning Alistair enjoys spending the first hour of the school day in Dawn Hensley’s first grade classroom.   

Each day, Alistair comes up with a word or letter to challenge the students to use that day - an activity that is helpful in getting the students settled in and ready to begin a day of learning.  When Alistair was asked why they volunteer in their child’s classroom, the response was: “Child enrichment!”  It is as simple as that to Alistair! 

Fun fact about Alistair: Alistair loves letters and fun words.  Their family is a family of readers and writers and they enjoy having the ability to use this in a volunteer setting with the peers of their daughter.