The April edition of the Walking School Bus brought together the staff of the Hagerstown Suns minor league baseball team (Class A, Nationals) and the children and families of Bester Elementary. At the four corners of the district children met volunteers, members of the Hagerstown Suns staff and Bester Community of Hope team members. At each location children received Hagerstown Suns calendars and official playing cards of their popular mascot Woolie, along with drinks, and cookies donated by the Girl Scout Troop #81757. There was plenty of fun at the Frederick Manor station, where Suns staff pumped up the kids with a chant of “We want cookies! We want cookies!”
The rain in the forecast held off and kids enjoyed a fun journey to school together with their friends, family and community partners. Upon arriving at the entrance to the school they were welcomed by none other than the Suns mascot Woolie, who along with greeting walkers, went car to car and gave hi-fives to parents who couldn’t help but smile at the unexpected visitor at their window. Parents took photos as their child received hugs from Woolie and Suns staff encouraged students as they entered the building to have a fantastic Friday.
When a student at the Memorial Park station was asked why they continue to participate in these monthly activities their response was, “I come every time when you do this stuff because its fun!” At the G&G grill station, participants were overflowing out the front door. A volunteer asked a student, “Did you grow up here?” He responded that he was born in Hagerstown and briefly moved out of state, where his younger sibling was born. They moved back to Hagerstown to his big relief because “this is home because my friends are here and I like Bester Elementary a lot more than the school where I used to live.”
Bester Elementary’s Walking School Bus is a monthly parent-led effort focused on attendance, supported by community partners including the Bester Community of Hope. Interested in participating or have great ideas for a fun theme? Let us know at 240-513-6370 or by e-mail at connect@besterhope.org. Join us!
