On a warm summer morning in June at William W. Estes Elementary (WWES) excitement filled the air as a special group of students prepared for the ride of a lifetime. As part of the Heroes for Literacy initiative, the Asheville Fire Department (AFD) teamed up with the Asheville Police Department (APD) to reward students who showed the most growth in their reading skills. Their prize? A chance to ride to school in a real fire truck!
For several years, WWES partnered with AFD to help students grow academically. In the 2023/2024 school year they decided to join forces with APD. Many of them take time during their off days to visit with students.
“It has been amazing to see this program change over the years, and to see these two departments come together to support our students,” said second grade teacher Kelly McDougal. “The first responders see each other on calls and in the community so it was a great feeling to bring them together for a stress free morning of reading to kids!”
Another change to the program this year was the challenge coin, a symbol of achievement and dedication to academic excellence.
“We rewarded three to four students per class each month,” Mrs. McDougal explained. “Students receive a coin for showing growth in reading or if they’ve been putting extra effort into the classroom. Seeing the coins awarded to peers makes students strive harder, because many want to be the next coin winner.”
The lucky students from grades k-4 really turned up the heat in reading this year. As the firetruck and police cars rounded the building, students and staff cheered on their friends. For Mrs. McDougal this signified that all the hard work from everyone involved paid off.
“It means the world to me to see the students smiling and waving from the window of the firetruck,” she said. “We want to not only encourage and challenge, but lift up our students and their families. Any chance to shine a light on the students that are working hard makes it so worthwhile.”
Thanks to the Heroes for Literacy program, these young readers learned that just like firefighters and police officers, they too can rise to the challenge, overcome obstacles, and set the world ablaze with their passion for learning.
