“Roc” Rocks Pre-Primary’s Day!

Monday, April 18, was a very exciting day in the Pre-Primary School. Adventurers Room parent Myra Jordan, who is also the coordinator of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Liaison Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department, organized a special visit from representatives of the K-9 unit, Bike Patrol, and Emergency Response Team (ERT).

 

Children in the Adventurers Room knew a little bit about what to expect on the big day. Previously, Myra visited the class in her uniform and read a book to the children in American Sign Language (ASL). Children in the Explorers and Discovery Rooms prepared for the visit by talking about the role that police officers play in communities and what kinds of transportation children have seen officers using.

 

Touring the ERT truck, which was the biggest of six vehicles brought to the school, was a highlight for children. Officer Hawkins was on hand to give the children a tour of its many features, and Discovery Room children figured out that this would be the best transport to use when a lot of police officers need to go to the same place at the same time. Dubbed “Little Bear,” it holds 6-8 uniformed officers or about 20 four-year-olds.

 

Another highlight of the morning was meeting “Roc” from the K-9 unit. Roc specializes in identifying explosives and tracking human scents. His handler, Officer Higdon, has been working with him for a year and a half. Roc was very receptive to meeting the children who were glad to find out that he works to help “keep them safe,” as do the other dogs that came with their handlers on Monday.

 

Children are still talking about the visit on the playground, and tomorrow they will work on thank-you notes for the officers. A special gift from each classroom is also in the works!