Pleasant Valley Elementary School held its second annual Dewey Day, a summer educational event for incoming kindergarten students at PVE to the second graders now moving on to third grade.

Anne Gordon, a teacher at PVE and event organizer, said the event came to be because, “it was just some teachers at PVE that felt the kids needed something over the summer to bridge that learning loss that happens so often.”

This year’s theme was transportation. And in line with that theme, the teachers added a Touch-A-Truck to the festivities last Wednesday.

The Touch-A-Truck gave children an opportunity to get close to emergency vehicles, construction vehicles, and motorcycles, and ask lots of questions.

“We don’t want kids to be afraid when they see a police officer or ambulance. We want them to know that they are here to help them and it’s not scary,” Gordon said.

The participating vehicles came from Syracuse Auto Body with a tow truck, Frantz Trucking Co. with a tractor to pull tankers and a triaxle truck, Mr. Outdoor Tree Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, Pleasant Valley Security, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Lehigh Valley Health Service Ambulance, West End Fire Company, and the Pocono Harley Davidson Ownership Group.

The event also included math games, story time, and a free book from the Dewey bus. Students also had fun with temporary tattoos done by members of the high school’s PV-FBLA chapter, and had a snack provided by the Western Pocono Women’s Club.

“It’s awesome. We had 93 sign up,” said Joan Bumbulsky, a teacher and one of the event organizers. “They all come with their parents, so it works out really well.”

Incoming first grader Avery Coppinger, 7, said her favorite vehicle was the school security car.

“They protect us,” she said.

Her mother Brandy Coppinger said they were there with her husband, Thomas Coppinger, who is with Frantz Trucking, and their daughter, Paisley, who isn’t in school yet.

“I think it’s amazing so far,” Brandy said about the event. “It’s nice to get the kids out outside of the school after hours.”

Avery added, “And it’s also nice that my dad brought his truck.”

Thomas Coppinger said this is the first time he has taken the trucks to a Touch-A-Truck event. He brought them out to this one, because Joan Bumbulsky reached out and asked him.

“I thought it was good timing because of my girls; one just finished Kindergarten. It’s good for them to come, too,” he said.

Lots of kids came over to the trucks and sat up in the driver’s seat.

“They pull the air horn. They love it,” Thomas Coppinger said.

The event was main possible by the support of the PVE administration and staff, Bumbulsky and Anne Gordon said. It was funded last year through a grant from the PVE Parent Teacher Organization and the Pleasant Valley Education Foundation.

“This year, it is being funded through the school district thanks to the work of Lori Hagerman,” Gordon said. Hagerman is the reading supervisor for the school district.

The ladies also wanted to thank their team of teachers including Jackie Hardy, Stacy Meckes, Christie Doll, Diane Charles and Noreen Ciarleglio, and the volunteers who helped make sure it all ran smoothly including Karen Gianotti, Jodi Kresge, Krystal Meckes, Val Rudowski and Kathleen Ahner.