Friday was Pike County Kindergarten Day in Brundidge and about 200 kindergarten students from Brundidge, Banks and Goshen enjoyed a morning of fun in the sun.
Brundidge Mayor Jimmy Ramage said the event was the second in what will be an annual outing for kindergarten students in the county schools.
“Last year was such a great success that we quickly decided to make Pike County Kindergarten Day in Brundidge an annual event,” Ramage said. “We wanted these young students to know more about our community and those who do the important jobs of keeping the city working and keeping them safe. Now, when they see these vehicles on the streets, they will know what they do for the city and for them.”
The day’s activities opened with the release of 200 balloons by the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center.
“There were to be about 200 children here and we released a balloon for each of them in recognition of abused children,” said Camille Downing, CAC director. “We would hope that child abuse is decreasing but, in reality, it’s not. Eighty-five percent of the children who are abused are abused by a family member, neighbor or someone they should be able to trust. April is Child Abuse Awareness month and the balloon release today is a reminder that every day, all across the country children are being abused.”
The Brundidge Fire Department, the Brundidge Utilities Department, Brundidge Police Department, CARE Ambulance Service, Brundidge City Hall, the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library and the Pike County Sheriff’s Department also participated in Pike County Kindergarten Day.”
Sasha Tuck, kindergarten teacher at Pike County Elementary School, said the day’s activities were fun ways to introduce the young students to those who serve the community.
“At the beginning of the year, we had a unit on community helpers,” Tuck said. “We reviewed what the students learned to prepare them for Kindergarten Day. They have really enjoyed getting to see the different vehicles and meet those who work in the different departments. Kindergarten Day is also an opportunity for the students to interact with students at the other schools in the county.”
Ramage expressed appreciation to the community helpers who participated and the teachers and administrators at the three elementary schools for their support.
“We thank everyone who helped make the 2nd Annual Pike County Kindergarten Day such a great success,” he said. “We look forward to next year and many years to come.”