Career fields demonstrated at Christian school
Second-grader Eleanor Hills went to school Friday dressed as a police officer. So she was excited during an assembly to see two Butler police officers speak to students at First Baptist Christian School about their jobs and their K-9 officer.
Friday was Community Helper Day at First Baptist Christian School, which invited people in different careers to the school to talk to students in kindergarten through fifth grade about their roles in the community.
Hills was even more inspired after the event than she was when she first arrived at school that day.
“My dad told me a story about police, and I said I wanted to be one,” Hills said.
Kelly Oesterling, First Baptist Christian School program coordinator, said Community Helper Day is an annual event at the school, which introduces children to people in the community they may not be aware of.
Among the presenters were a park ranger, a sign language interpreter, a car mechanic, a safety manager and a grocer, who all shared their experiences with the children. Several of the attendees were parents of students at the school.
“The idea is for kids to look outside their own little world to see who else is out there,” Oesterling said. “We’re explaining to kids that they are a part of the community, too.”
Police officers kicked off the day’s activities with a presentation, and then the students were put into groups that traveled to different stations around the school to see the rest of the speakers.
Melanie Horstman, a fifth-grade student, said she enjoyed the animal skins that Moraine State Park manager Dustin Drew brought to the school, and also the sign language taught by Linda Beck.
“I want to be a veterinarian,” Horstman said. “The sign language was my favorite.”
Oesterling said the students always enjoy learning about new jobs and people, which was evident by their fast movement to each station in transition.
She said the event will likely be a continuing learning opportunity at the school.
“They are all very enthusiastic,” Oesterling said. “It’s definitely a highlight to their fall.”
