Posted on 05/25/2022
BCS Communications Dept.
The sirens of two Asheville Fire Department trucks sounded as they made their way around William W. Estes Elementary on Friday, May 20th. However, the firefighters were not there for a 911 call. They were on the scene to celebrate four students that worked hard this school year to improve in reading. Those students showed up to school that morning on a firetruck with sirens blaring, and students cheering in excitement.
“The firefighters came to the school over the last few months to celebrate the top reader of each grade,” said Instructional Coach Felicia Proffitt. “The top reader from each grade level had the opportunity to ride on the firetruck with the firefighters. This has become a tradition at Estes, so it was really special to bring it back this year.”
From the beginning of the school year the staff at Estes try to create a love for literacy with every student. Ms. Proffitt feels that reading can take a child anywhere they wish to go.
“We know how important literacy is for all our students,” she explained. “Some of the students who were selected to ride on the firetruck had tears in their eyes when they found out the big news. Seeing the joy on each of their faces is worth all the hard work we do each day with them.”
One student had hoped for this opportunity since Kindergarten, and this year was his year to ride on the firetruck. Each one of the students became a school celebrity that day, everyone knew who they were as the school celebrated the success of each one.
“Our second grade winner made it a goal in Kindergarten to come to school on the truck,” Ms. Proffitt said. “This shows them that reading can take you places in life.”
