The last week of school is an exciting time for all Buncombe County Schools (BCS) students, and this year two organizations decided to make it a little more special for students at Johnston Elementary School (JES).
The Asheville Fire Department (AFD) along with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) came up with a way to reward students for their dedication to improving their reading skills and improving their academic performance. A group of students who made the most progress were able to take a spin in either an AFD fire truck or BCSO Special Response Team’s (SRT) BearCat. In order to be one of the few students to ride in either vehicle, students had to set and achieve their goals for the year.
“The students that rode in the BearCat achieved reading goals by the end of the year,” said Principal Angie Trantham. “Those that rode on the fire truck exhibited the highest growth in their class.”
AFD Fire Safety Educator Jeremy Brooks said he has witnessed firsthand the difference this program makes in each child’s life.
“I have loved being able to interact with students at an early age as a way to develop a trusting relationship with firefighters in their community,” Mr. Brooks said. “It’s important for the students to see first responders in a positive role so that one day in the event of an emergency they know we are there to help. For the students to also see us in the school periodically throughout the school year shows them that we are invested in their wellbeing and education.”
Mrs. Trantham is grateful for this partnership and how both organizations made a positive impact with each student. She said it’s moments like these that make a difference in a student’s educational journey.
“Mr. Brooks put in many hours working with our third grade students throughout the year,” she explained. “Together Mr. Brooks and teachers set achievement goals with each student. He came to the school periodically to check in how each child was doing all while offering words of encouragement and prizes. The students who met their goals earned a trip to the AFD fire station for a pizza party with the firefighters.”
The BCSO worked with students throughout the year too with a focus on reading. Each class set specific goals related to reading. Once they met those goals for the nine weeks, they earned the Reading Detective Reward.
“The rewards ranged from ‘Dogs and Donuts’ in which students participated in a presentation from the K9 team while they enjoyed a yummy donut,” said Mrs. Trantham. “The CSI team came to our school as well to do a presentation about their job.”
Mrs. Trantham said it was a magical experience to see how both organizations celebrated the students the last week of school.
“As the fire truck and BearCat drove around the school we heard and saw all our students cheering one another as sirens were going off, and that gave many staff members chills,” she said. “It was an amazing experience, and one that many will remember for years to come.”
