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Wheels are hot topic at Eastern Elementary career day
School hosts fifth annual COW Day
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Wheels of all sizes and descriptions were the hot topic Wednesday during Eastern Elementary’s COW Day.
This was the fifth time the school hosted the Career on Wheels event, which gives nearly 700 prekindergarten through first grade students a firsthand look at employment opportunities that rely on wheels to literally get the job done.
“This is a great introduction to different career activities in the community, and it’s done in such a positive light,” said Elizabeth Picone, COW Day chairperson. “The students love it.”
Various local agencies and businesses pitch in to help make the event a success, according to Picone. Everything from a street sweeper to a City of Washington fire truck and ambulance took center stage this year.
The event has become so popular that different groups volunteer to be included.
“People will stop us sometimes and tell us that they want to participate,” said Lois Hoot, who assisted Picone in the planning of the event.
Wednesday’s activities included a close up look at a Beaufort Equipment Company tractor — the wheels of which towered over the youngsters — and a visit with staff of Beaufort County Animal Control. Law enforcement officers Issac Barrett of the Washington Police Department and Cpl. Walt Zerniak of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office were on hand with their patrol cars, while nearby Curtis Ormond and Mary Gurley of the Beaufort County chapter of the American Red Cross explained the importance of wheels when providing emergency assistance.
Others on hand included a logging truck, race car, electrical truck, the WITN weather van and the Beaufort-Hyde-Martin Regional Library bookmobile.
“This year we had an all-time high of 22 different stations for the students to visit,” Picone said. “And we’re already planning for next year!”
The event is entertaining for the youngsters, while giving them a welcome break from the classrooms, but COW Day incorporates aspects of the school’s regular curriculum, too.
“Our students have been reading about these things, and after today they’ll write stories and make pictures about what they’ve learned,” said Patrick Abele, principal of Eastern Elementary School. “They’ll be excited about this for several days afterwards.”
The students have also been studying various occupations in the community and COW Day gives them the chance to meet some of those folks face to face.
“They’re learning about police, firefighters and other services as part of their curriculum, and this helps them make the connection between jobs and responsibilities,” Abele said.
With special activities such as COW Day, the students are excited about school.
“We’re instilling a love of school and learning in our students,” Abele said. “What we do on a daily basis makes a difference.”
COW Day creates a sense of adventure for the students, and as the big day approaches there is a buzz around school.
“The students look forward to this, to having a day like COW Day,” Abele said. “It’s one of our responsibilities to have something like this, and not just teach what is required.”
Abele also noted that the event wouldn’t be possibility without the backing of the community.
“These volunteers are giving up their time away from family and their businesses,” he said. “Their support is tremendous.”
That support doesn’t necessarily mean showing up on the day of the event, according to Picone.
“In addition to the presentations, we have other donors, including Coca Cola, Piggly Wiggly, Brownie Bakery and the P.T.A.,” she said. “If they’re not here, they’re here in spirit.”
More photos from Career on Wheels Day will be featured in Sunday’s edition of the Washington Daily News.
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Wheels of all sizes and descriptions were the hot topic Wednesday during Eastern Elementary’s COW Day.
This was the fifth time the school hosted the Career on Wheels event, which gives nearly 700 prekindergarten through first grade students a firsthand look at employment opportunities that rely on wheels to literally get the job done.
“This is a great introduction to different career activities in the community, and it’s done in such a positive light,” said Elizabeth Picone, COW Day chairperson. “The students love it.”
Various local agencies and businesses pitch in to help make the event a success, according to Picone. Everything from a street sweeper to a City of Washington fire truck and ambulance took center stage this year.
The event has become so popular that different groups volunteer to be included.
“People will stop us sometimes and tell us that they want to participate,” said Lois Hoot, who assisted Picone in the planning of the event.
Wednesday’s activities included a close up look at a Beaufort Equipment Company tractor — the wheels of which towered over the youngsters — and a visit with staff of Beaufort County Animal Control. Law enforcement officers Issac Barrett of the Washington Police Department and Cpl. Walt Zerniak of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office were on hand with their patrol cars, while nearby Curtis Ormond and Mary Gurley of the Beaufort County chapter of the American Red Cross explained the importance of wheels when providing emergency assistance.
Others on hand included a logging truck, race car, electrical truck, the WITN weather van and the Beaufort-Hyde-Martin Regional Library bookmobile.
“This year we had an all-time high of 22 different stations for the students to visit,” Picone said. “And we’re already planning for next year!”
The event is entertaining for the youngsters, while giving them a welcome break from the classrooms, but COW Day incorporates aspects of the school’s regular curriculum, too.
“Our students have been reading about these things, and after today they’ll write stories and make pictures about what they’ve learned,” said Patrick Abele, principal of Eastern Elementary School. “They’ll be excited about this for several days afterwards.”
The students have also been studying various occupations in the community and COW Day gives them the chance to meet some of those folks face to face.
“They’re learning about police, firefighters and other services as part of their curriculum, and this helps them make the connection between jobs and responsibilities,” Abele said.
With special activities such as COW Day, the students are excited about school.
“We’re instilling a love of school and learning in our students,” Abele said. “What we do on a daily basis makes a difference.”
COW Day creates a sense of adventure for the students, and as the big day approaches there is a buzz around school.
“The students look forward to this, to having a day like COW Day,” Abele said. “It’s one of our responsibilities to have something like this, and not just teach what is required.”
Abele also noted that the event wouldn’t be possibility without the backing of the community.
“These volunteers are giving up their time away from family and their businesses,” he said. “Their support is tremendous.”
That support doesn’t necessarily mean showing up on the day of the event, according to Picone.
“In addition to the presentations, we have other donors, including Coca Cola, Piggly Wiggly, Brownie Bakery and the P.T.A.,” she said. “If they’re not here, they’re here in spirit.”
More photos from Career on Wheels Day will be featured in Sunday’s edition of the Washington Daily News.
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