Next week is National Public School Volunteer Week, dedicated to shining a spotlight on the millions of parents, guardians, caregivers, and community members who support students and schools every day. Liberty Hill ISD (LHISD) is grateful for our community members who consistently step up to volunteer their time, talent and resources in support of our schools. Let’s chat with a few of the dedicated volunteers from Bill Burden Elementary (BBE) and Santa Rita Middle School (SRMS).

BBE’s Joe Moskowitz

If you have spent time on the BBE campus this year, you’ve likely met Joe Moskowitz. He serves as part of the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program on their campus every day. Watch D.O.G.S. is a program that provides positive male role models who spend time on school campuses, helping to build stronger relationships with students and reinforcing a sense of safety and community. 

Moskowitz retired after working around the world for the past 45 years. He has lived in Liberty Hill for more than 20 years and has a third-grade student on the BBE campus. He started volunteering on special occasions like Thanksgiving lunch and field day, but decided he wanted to be on campus daily and be helpful wherever he was needed. According to Moskowitz, “I love being involved with the kids, whether spending time with them in P.E(physical education), or working at lunches by opening their containers or just chatting with them.” 

BBE Principal Joyce Milam loves having Joe on campus. “Our students are excited to see him each day,” she said. “Whether he’s helping in classrooms, assisting with office duties, or simply spending time encouraging students, he does it all with a positive attitude.”

SRMS Crossing Guards- Erin Davis & Greg Stokes

Parents Erin Davis and Greg Stokes have children attending SRMS and saw the need for a crossing guard at the school’s entrance to keep their kids and the other children walking and biking to school safe. Both stepped up earlier this fall and have been serving as crossing guards ever since. 

SRMS Principal Nicole Hagerty is grateful for the role these volunteers have made on her campus. “Knowing that our students can cross safely each morning with a caring adult has been such a relief, she said. “The volunteers care very much about our students and they have really enjoyed building relationships with them and taking them under their care for that time each morning.”

Both Stokes and Davis love the community at SRMS. Davis commented on how much staff members truly care, and the positive relationships her children have built on campus. Stokes agreed, noting how helpful everyone is and the genuine sense of care they have. As volunteers, they have now become part of that caring community. “It’s a small role, but it gives you a chance to connect, encourage students, and be a consistent, positive presence,” said Stokes. 

According to Stokes, “The kids were having a difficult time crossing safely, especially with the amount of traffic, including construction trucks and service vehicles in the area. It was clear there was a need for support.” Davis agreed, “I saw there was a need. That intersection gets so busy during drop-off in the morning. It was really scary to think about the kids crossing the road without assistance.”

Thank you Joe, Erin and Greg for stepping up to serve in our schools. And thank you to the many other volunteers who serve on LHISD campuses, as Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) leaders, booster club members, office aides, laminators, juice box openers and more! Our schools are better with you in them!

** Like many districts around the area, LHISD has been unable to hire enough crossing guards for all of our campuses. If you or someone you know would like to serve as a crossing guard next school year, you can find the job description and details on our website later this summer.