Visits
from
local
community
members,
including
a
dentist,
postal
worker,
and
librarian,
were
the
highlight
of
a
social
studies
unit
on
community
helpers
at
Rockledge
Elementary
School.
Through
interactive
presentations,
kindergarten
students
learned
how
these
helpers
keep
their
community
safe,
healthy,
and
informed.
"Our
community
helpers
brought
exciting
examples
and
visuals
for
our
students,"
shared
Chelsea
Gelman,
kindergarten
teacher
at
Rockledge
Elementary.
"These
instruments,
examples,
and
tools
provided
such
a
rich
language
experience
for
all
our
students,
particularly
those
who
might
be
learning
English
in
addition
to
another
language."
This
two-week
long
lesson
came
together,
thanks
to
the
hard
work
of
the
kindergarten
teaching
team
and
their
commitment
to
providing
students
with
hands-on
learning
opportunities.
In
the
planning
stage,
there
were
times
when
a
potential
visitor
did
not
work
out,
but
the
team
persisted,
Gelman
emphasized.
They
continued
to
reach
out
to
local
businesses
and
organizations
until
they
found
someone
able
to
help.
Ultimately,
it
was
the
partnerships
established
between
the
School
Division
and
the
community,
as
well
as
the
generosity
of
so
many,
that
made
this
event
a
success.
"We
were
so
fortunate
to
have
so
many
community
members
willing
to
visit
us
that
we
were
able
to
schedule
visits
over
the
course
of
two
weeks,"
added
Gelman.
"We
all
had
a
great
time
connecting
with
so
many
local
community
businesses
and
organizations
and
are
hoping
to
continue
this
experience
for
years
to
come."