Lights and sirens signaled the end of a popular end of year tradition at W.W. Estes Elementary.
Firefighters of the Asheville Fire Department (AFD) have worked throughout the school with students to help them succeed academically. The students who showed the most growth in reading earned the opportunity to ride to school on a firetruck. One student from each grade level, kindergarten through fourth grade, got to experience what it’s like to be a firefighter. Teachers say this opportunity is something the kids look forward to each year.
“Getting to ride on the truck is an outside motivator to help push students to do their best,” said second grade teacher Kelly McDougal. “Many of our students are positively impacted by the firefighters who come to visit each month. They not only read with students but they also carry on conversations with them, enjoy recess with the kids and build lasting connections that stick with our students.”
Ms. McDougal says that every child at Estes benefits from this experience. Students, teachers and staff gather around the school on the day of the firetruck ride to watch and cheer on each child as they step off the trucks.
“Seeing their smiling faces on the trucks is amazing,” Ms. McDougal said. “Knowing that their hard work paid off helps the kids realize what opportunities they have waiting for them. This has inspired a few students to want to become like the men and women who have been coming to help them all year long. We are so grateful for all that the AFD has done for our students and school.”
