Attendees included Chief of Police Pat Gurcsik and Fire Chief Patrick Dolgos.
Birches Elementary School kicked off its Great Kindness Challenge Week on Monday, March 19, inviting local law enforcement, fire department and emergency medical staff members for a “heroes” event. As the buses arrived to start the day, students were greeted at the front door by first responder personnel, including Chief of Police Pat Gurcsik and Fire Chief Patrick Dolgos.
After walking through the arch of rainbow balloons, students made it to homeroom before being called back out into the hallways. There, they cheered and high-fived as the first responders made a lap around the school.
At the end of the lap, guests were greeted by fifth graders with homemade signs, thanking them for their service before enjoying a complimentary breakfast in the school cafeteria. While having breakfast, invitees received a delivery of “thank you” cards from students around the school.
Birches is celebrating kindness all week, with special events each day. They include:
· Monday: Heroes Day
· Tuesday: Teamwork Tuesday — students will work on teamwork activities and play different games.
· Wednesday: Roundup Wednesday — staff and students will bring in items to donate to local animal shelters for the annual roundup fundraiser.
· Thursday: Be Kind and Unwind Day — Teachers will host different unwinding activities in the classrooms, and the school will have an open house at student assistance counselor Mike Petticrew’s new sensory room.
· Friday: Birches Rocks — Students will collect the kindness rocks that were placed in the school courtyard, and have the opportunity to take one of the rocks home.
