Barbara C. Wilson Preschool Parent Association Touch-a-Truck Event Was a Success!
The community came together at the beginning of autumn for a day of exploration, education, and, most importantly, fun! The Barbara C. Wilson (BCW) Preschool Parent Association hosted a Touch-a-Truck event on a Tuesday morning. First responders stationed police vehicles, a Syosset Fire Department fire truck, and a Town of Hempstead Aids to Navigation boat in front of the preschool. Police department K9 dogs were also on the scene with their handlers, ready to answer questions and meet the students.
Last year, the BCW Parent Association hosted its first Touch-a-Truck event. The event was a success, inspiring the Parent Association to host it again.
“We have a lot of first responder families, so we try to find an event that we can get everybody excited about and to volunteer for,” said Dena DeGrande, the Parent Association President. “All kids have a real love of fire trucks and cars and boats. They get excited when they see the vehicles, wear fire hats, and interact with local law enforcement and first responders.”
One at a time, classes went outside to see the vehicles, Parent Association members, and the first responders. Many of the kids started with the fire truck, enjoying the opportunity to see what the inside like. They also loved trying on an authentic firefighter helmet!
After witnessing the fire truck, they said hello to the K9 dogs and sat in the driver’s seat of police vehicles. The students had fun honking the horn and watching the lights from the siren.
“I think it’s nice for the children to come out and interact with the community and different workers in the community,” said Gregory Warga of the Old Westbury Police Department, whose son attends the school. “I think a lot of the kids enjoy cars and trucks and looking at them in books and pictures. For them to experience it in real life and interact with them, I think it’s an enjoyable experience.”
Finally, the kids climbed onto the boat, setting sail for a fun adventure ahead!
“The boat is used for different jobs, fixing the waterways in the bay, taking care of the buoys,” explained Daniel Hassett, a class parent. “It also tows things and helps remove debris from the water so it is safe. I think the boat is interesting for kids because they don’t see boats every day. I thought it would be something different and good for them.”
At the end of the tour, the students returned to their classrooms with a bag full of goodies, including a plastic firefighter helmet, to remember the Touch-a-Truck event.
“It’s good because they learn not to be afraid,” said Ken Johnson, former chief of the Syosset Fire Department. “They learn that first responders are their friends and are there to help them. So, it’s a good experience and a good event.”