St. Stan's Class Connecting With Adams Police Officers
ADAMS, Mass. — Sixth-graders at St. Stanislaus Kostka School got a visit from the police on Friday.
Officers Gregory Onorato and Travis Cunningham stopped by the classroom to answer questions about their job and to view the student's "Hall of Heroes."
Teacher Jessica Jennings said when looking for a service project for her pupils, she noted that they had born after the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. She thought it would be a good way for her students to learn about the heroics of New York City's emergency services and connect it to Adam's own public safety personnel.
The children wrote letters to the Police Department. After receiving letters in response, they wrote essays about the officers and their service to the town. These letters have been placed in the hallway for all to see with handmade paper badges and a student-drawn picture of department's K-9 Kumar.
Beyond learning writing and communication skills, Jennings said she hopes that the students learn that they can approach the police and be friendly with them, especially with some of the negative police attention in the media.
"I thought it would be a really good way to connect with the community especially with all of the negative police attention in the media," she said. "The kids can see they are approachable, positive role models."
Onorato agreed and said this program allows the officers to build a relationship with the children.
"This is a more interactive, and it's cool to have the kids write to us, give us a little bit of information about themselves, and write back," he said. "It kind of forms a relationship that is different than us just coming in and presenting something."
The officers explained elements of their job and demonstrated the proper way to handcuff someone. Although many of the children were adamant about being handcuffed themselves, the officers were able to find a suitable adult to use as an example.
Officer Cunningham said the kids asked some pretty insightful questions.
"The questions they asked were really good ... and it was nice to give them some perspective on what we do and humanize us a little more," Cunningham said. "We explained to them that we have to tell people not do things ... we are the people that have to say no and that was a big shock to them."
Cunningham added that one child asked why so many people have a negative opinion towards cops "when everyone thinks you guys are so cool?"
"That was one of the most devastating questions, and I told them that not everyone thinks we are cool," he said.
After the presentation the children gave the officers dove pins and thanked them for being the peacekeepers in Adams.
Onorato said they enjoy coming into the classroom and hanging out with kids.
"It's a nice mental break for us," he said. "We see people on their worst days most of the time and, this is awesome. These kids are having fun, and we like being around positive people ... it's a nice change of pace."
Jennings said this was her first time doing a project such like this and in the future she hopes to involve the Adams Fire Department and Adams Ambulance Service.
"It's about the community because that's what we do at a Catholic school," she said. "This was our way to connect to the community."
Tags: Adams Police, first responders, public safety, st. stan,
