Pa. Students Feed, Perform for Paramedics, First Responders
Feb. 05--Laureldale, PA
Emergency vehicles lined the fire lane outside of Holy Guardian Angels Regional School in Laureldale Thursday morning -- fire trucks and ambulances, yards away from the police cars parked in the school's lot.
Inside, more than two dozen first responders from across Berks chatted over breakfast at tables intermixed with third- and fourth-graders.
"Part of this is making them aware that there's a world outside of themselves," fourth-grade teacher Kerry Stuckert said of her students, who put on the first-responder appreciation event, part of an overall community day during National Catholic Schools Week. "I really hope my kids take away an appreciation and a respect."
This year's event was carried over from last year, when a two-hour weather delay canceled the 2015 first-responder's appreciation event. As part of that, Holy Guardian Angels presented a check Thursday for $250 to Reading Deputy Fire Chief Larry B. Moyer Jr. for the Berks County's 9-1-1 center. The money was raised during a donut sale last year.
Elsewhere in the school Thursday, fifth- and sixth-graders continued packing toiletry and care bags for donation to the Reading YMCA, first- and second-graders enjoyed a visit from their grandparents for Grandparent Bingo, and seventh- and eighth-graders got a look at their futures in the working world during a career day event.
After breakfast, fourth-graders sang a first responder song and third-graders read a poem to the firefighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians on hand for the morning event.
"I'm actually excited about talking to them and telling them about our school, and being the greeters," fourth-grader Marli Emrich, 10, said.
Later, Moyer spoke to students about 9-1-1 and his job as a city fireman.
"The kids are older now. We've gone through the fire prevention stuff. They've seen us do all of that," he said.
Now, it's important, he said that they understand the importance of knowing the address of the place from which they're calling, since some spend time at grandparents' homes.
"It's really important," Moyer said, "especially if you're calling from a cell phone and stuff doesn't pop up on the screen."
Among the other things Moyer discussed: "If there's a home phone, call from the home phone, not a cell phone," he said. "Stuff like that is important for them to know."
Following Moyer's talk, students got a chance to ask questions.
"Have you ever been in a fire?" one asked.
Yes, many, Moyer said.
"Did you always want to be a fireman?"
Off and on, starting from when he was very young.
And, "What time do you get up in the morning?"
At the crack of dawn.
"It's great to be appreciated," Moyer said, "and kids are the ultimate because they don't hold back."
Contact Becca Y. Gregg: 610-371-5032 or bgregg@readingeagle.com.
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