Celebrating the Kids

On Monday morning, at 9 a.m. the first day of school in Carbon County School District No. 2, a siren went off telling the town something was happening. 

There was.

Hanna Elementary School (HES) had a parade of its students starting at the firehouse and marching to the elementary school. The kids lined up by grade and followed two fire trucks down the street, waving at the crowds lined up along the street. They were also throwing candy.

"This looks to have more people watching than our regular parades," Kim Connolly observed. "There are a lot of people here."

Connolly was right. Quite a lot of residents came to see the little ones march off to school. This is the first time HES had ever done something like this.

It started with a staff meeting at Hanna Elementary School, when the faculty gathered wanted to do something special to welcome the kids coming back to school.

"We were trying to figure out ways to start the year," Jackie Jones, sixth grade teacher at HES said. "Here at HES, we decided we wanted to do something that celebrated our kids. I mentioned a parade would be a great opportunity to show the community how we do care for our students."

The staff jumped on the idea and started contacting residents and people who would help. Jones said the older students pulled off signs and banners in less than an hour to be ready for the parade.

"The kids did a really great job," Jones said. "I brought some noisemakers to give a little added excitement for the young ones.

Jones said the teachers did this to celebrate with the kids and adults the happiness of what coming back to school can mean.

"Over the course of a school year we talk about test scores and classroom work and things like that," Jones said. "So when it comes down to it, they are kids. They are people's children and they need to know that they are cared about and celebrated every chance we get."

Jones said it was gratifying as they marched from the firehouse to the school about five or sid blocks away. She saw parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents and even people who have no kids, cheering to the young students as they walked by.

Jones said the parade started out on a fun note. Hanna Fire Chief Mark Kostovny, challenged the 6th graders if they could be louder with their noisemakers than the siren from the fire station.

The siren won, but the students were delighted with the contest.

"That really revved things up," Jones said. "They had so much fun."

It was not just the 6th graders who enjoyed the contest.

"Our little kindergartners were just in awe," Jones said. "Anytime you have sirens going off like they did that morning, you are going to get their attention."

Jones said when all the kids came back, they were ready for school.

"The kids settled in," Jones said. "They saw we planned something for them, something fun and exciting and they went to their seats and were ready to talk about school."

Jones said having all the students march together gave them a sense of belonging to HES. 

"It was such a great day that pulled everyone together," Jones said. "It was wonderful to see Mr. (Darrin) Jennings and Mr. (Noel) Manning in the crowd cheering the kids as they walked by them."

Jennings is the Superintendent of CCSD2 and Manning the Curriculum Director of CCSD2.

"The best part was the kids got to show off," Jones said. "Then they came back to the school on such a positive note. I am so happy we did this."  

Jones said the effort was a true collaborative effort with the staff at HES and the community.

"I knew Kyle (Warren) would be instrumental in making the parade work," Jones said. "He said, 'Alright, what do I need to do?'. "

Warren is the 5th grade teacher at HES.

Jones is hoping the parade will happen again next year.

"It was such a hit," Jones said. "I think we would have people disappointed if we didn't have it next year."