Green a shining star every day
The state Secretary of Education, Khalid N. Mumin, traveled from Harrisburg to Butler on Thursday, Nov. 21, to visit Broad Street Elementary School, but he wasn’t the biggest celebrity there.
Khalid and many other elected officials lined up in the school auditorium to honor the real star of the show, James “Officer Jim” Green, the unassuming school police officer who was awarded a 2024 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award.
Green was one of only two such employees in the state to receive the RISE Award, which recognizes and promotes the commitment and excellence exhibited by full- or part-time school employees who provide exemplary service to students in prekindergarten through high school.
The article on the award, which appeared on Page 1 in the Nov. 22 edition of the Butler Eagle, states that it was Green’s penchant for making the school feel like home for its students that helped him win the coveted award.
Green’s dedication to the all-around well-being of the students at Broad Street Elementary was evident almost one year ago, when an Eagle article detailed his practice of turning the school into a magical holiday wonderland each Christmas.
According to the article from Dec. 18, silver snowflakes fluttered near the ceiling of the entrance, and a backdrop with a fireplace outfitted with stockings was hung behind a large Christmas tree.
Two other backdrops portrayed wintry scenes with white-tipped pine trees and snowflakes falling down. A shelf just inside the entryway displays a collection of ceramic gingerbread houses.
Green wrapped wires with more than 2,000 lights around the Christmas tree and hung dozens of festive ornaments on its boughs.
Green's sweet display also stretched down the hallway from the entrance.
“This summer, I knew I wanted to do the hallway as Candy Cane Lane,” he said in 2023.
Four-foot, red-and-white foil candy canes were placed along a brick wall Green made using plastic sheeting. He added icicles to enhance the scene.
Green buys Christmas decorations himself by hitting garage sales in the summer as well as buying items online.
“I think I made Amazon's year this year, because I bought a lot of this stuff from them,” he said at the time.
Green also takes pictures of the students against the backdrops, then prints them out and hangs them on a “Welcome to Candy Cane Lane” bulletin board.
The work, thought and expense put into the annual display demonstrates Green’s love and concern for the Broad Street students he protects every day.
The Eagle salutes Green, who retired from the state police on a Friday and started work with the Butler Area School District on a Monday, for his tireless dedication to Broad Street Elementary School, its students and staff.
May future Broad Street Elementary students enjoy his special brand of caring and love over many school years to come.
Hats off to you, Officer Jim. The Butler Eagle offers sincere congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.
— PG
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