Hello all,
The students kicked off Safety Explorer Week by defining the word, “Community”. Through a discussion, it was determined that a community is a group of people who live in one place called a neighborhood. The teachers explained that the students would spend the week discussing, learning about and even meeting some of the people who help make our community so special! Well, “Safety Explorer Week” has come and gone and boy, was it great! Read on below to learn all about the fun that was had and learning that took place!
Monday and Tuesday morning both proved to be very exciting as they were the first two Sprinkler/Water Park days of Summer Camp! The swim-suit-wearing students threw on their pinnies and headed out to enjoy some wet fun in the hot sun! Take a look below to see the students splishing and splashing! Do you think they enjoyed it?!? 🙂
Wednesday was a very exciting day because it marked the first field trip of camp! The students, teachers, and a large group of PPA parents spent Wednesday morning with some of Jersey City’s bravest Firefighters at the local Firehouse! The firefighters really pulled out all the stops for the PPA kids! Captain Mike along with the entire C-Group did a phenomenal job explaining the various ways that firefighters help in our community. Did you know that firefighters do not just put out fires? They help with nearly everything because they are also “First Responders”. The students had the opportunity to tour the fire station and even meet a moving robot that firefighters can use when a situation is too dangerous for a person to go in and help! The students also had the chance to see one of the pumper trucks in action! Could this field trip get any better? Yes it could – and it did! The students were given an opportunity to hold and spray the fire hose! With a big “Park Prep Thank You”, the students said goodbye to the firefighters and then headed back to school. What an wonderful trip it was! Be sure to look below for some of the photographic highlights from the incredible and important field trip!
On Thursday, the students were visited by another safety helper in our neighborhood. Can you guess from the following clues which community helpers were the visitors on Thursday.
1. These community helpers wear blue.
2. These community helpers have a shiny badge.
3. These community helpers can be reached by calling 9-1-1!
Do you know who these community helpers are?
If you said, “Police Officers” then you are correct!
The students welcomed Officer S. warmly into the classroom. Officer Medina began by asking a very important question – “Who knows what a stranger is?” Hands flew into the air and the students quickly revealed that a stranger is someone that you do not know. Officer Medina then asked, “Am I a stranger?” The students all shouted back, “Nooooo!” Officer Medina then said “Well, before I told you my name did you KNOW me?” The students were a bit puzzled – the students had just met Officer Medina, they did not really KNOW him. Just as things were getting a little confusing, one student chimed up and said, “You can’t be a stranger because you are a police officer!” Officer Medina smiled as he explained that all community helpers like Police Officers, Firefighters, and Paramedics are not strangers because their job is to help everyone! Officer Medina then asked, “How can you tell that someone is a police officer?” The students all shouted out answers including, “by their clothes” or “by the badge”. They were absolutely right! Police Officers all wear similar uniforms so people can identify (or find) them quickly! After answering a full list of questions, Officer Medina promoted the students of PPA to Jr. Police Officers! Naturally, they needed a badge! The students gave a warm hug/high-five to Office Medina before he headed back to work! A special PPA THANK YOU to all of the AMAZING Police Officers that help keep our community safe each and every day!
The community safety theme continued on Friday as the students learned a very valuable lesson about our local servicemen and servicewomen. Their number one job is and always will be protecting the people of our community and keeping everyone safe. The EMS members who were planning to visit the students of PPA were called to a very large fire in a neighboring city and were (obviously and completely understandably) unable to join us Friday morning. The EMS visit will be rescheduled for a later date this summer. Instead, the students enjoyed Face Paint Day!
Wow! Talk about an AMAZING week of camp! We cannot wait to see what next week – Animal Adventure Week – has in store! A special PPA Thank You to all of the PPA parents and community helpers that were such an integral part this past week! Your time and efforts are appreciated more than you realize! Well, that is all for this week of camp. As always, thank you for reading. Have a fun and safe weekend!
-PPA
Next Week – ANIMAL ADVENTURE WEEK!
Monday and Tuesday– WATER PARK and ART DAY!
Students must arrive dressed for outdoor water play! Please pack a towel and an EASY TO PUT ON change of clothing.
Wednesday – DRESS UP FOR WILD WEDNESDAY + Spellbound Performance Show Visits PPA!
Thursday– Turtle Back Zoo Bus Field Trip!
All students must arrive to school by 8:45 a.m. Parents welcome to attend! Students must wear a camp shirt today and also pack a COMPLETELY DISPOSABLE lunch today.
Friday – Face Painting Day!