Johnson Elementary "Paints the School Blue" in Conjunction with City-Wide Tribute to Law Enforcers
By Julie Perine on February 16, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Ava Fazalare and Shawn Huffman were preschoolers when U.S. Deputy Marshall Derek Hotsinpiller received a fatal gun wound while serving a warrant in Elkins on Feb. 16, 2011.
But the children, now fifth graders at Johnson Elementary School, know about the Bridgeport resident and law enforcement officer who served his community and state so selflessly.
Now serving their school and community as school patrol, they work closely with the Bridgeport Police force and were proud to be part of Johnson Elementary’s “Paint the School Blue” event, held in conjunction with today’s city-wide “Paint the Town Blue.”
“I got the idea from another fifth grade teacher who sent me a link to Connect-Bridgeport’s story on ‘Paint the Town Blue,’” said Bethany Kulchock, JES fifth grade teacher and event organizer. “We decided to have the kids bring in donations and make treat bags for the police officers, then invite them to come by the school today.”
Since the safety patrol works with the police department, they were given a leadership role in the project. As Bridgeport Police, West Virginia State Police and Harrison County Sheriff units drove across Johnson Avenue this morning, those students and other JES fifth graders stood along the sidewalk, ready to gift the police officers with tokens of appreciation that had been collected: Bottled water, snacks, candy and like items.
“We had students lining both sides of Johnson Avenue,” Kulchock said. “The officers either drove by and the kids put the treat bags in their cars for them – or some actually parked in our parking lot and the kids got to interact with them. Officer Jamie Hamrick lined up police cruisers on Johnson Avenue – with their lights on. It was fun.”
Twenty to 25 police units accepted invitations to take part in the school project. It was cold outside and a skiff of new-fallen snow covered the school grounds. But braving the cold was well worth it, Shawn Huffman said.
“It was worth it for the feeling,” he said. “Because I think it made (the policemen) feel good, it made me feel good.”
Shawn is certainly right.
“It’s so amazing what these kids did – especially this being the sixth anniversary of Derek’s death,” said Bridgeport Deputy Police Chief Randy Hartley. “It started out as a solemn day, then we went down there and saw these little kids who had made us cards and gift bags and stood out in the freezing cold weather and held up signs for us. It brought us happiness to a sad day and the kids did that for us.”
As part of “Paint the School Blue,” JES students dressed in blue and each class designed and created posters expressing their appreciation to law enforcement officers. The plan, Kulchock said, was for students to line the school grounds holding the posters, but windy conditions put somewhat of a damper on that.
“Some of the signs were posted outside, but they gave me a stack of signs to bring back to the station,” Hartley said.
After conferring with City Clerk Andrea Kerr, it was decided to hang the posters in the foyer of the Bridgeport Police Department so all officers – as well as members of the community – could see what the students had done.
The students spent a great deal of time on the project, both at their own homes and in the classroom. It was time well spent, Kulchock said.
“I think it’s important because the students see our police officers and especially (Prevention Resource Officer) Jamie Hamrick in our school daily and see what a great role model she is,” Kulchock said. “And the fact that our police officers are out there keeping everyone safe daily, getting them to and from school, it’s important for the kids to see and take on that leadership role – bringing in donations, getting the whole school to wear blue. They see that, like the police officers, they can be leaders too.”
Ava Fazalare said she does appreciate the police officers, not only for training the school patrol and working with them on a regular basis, but also for their protection of the community. She was glad to have a chance to tell them that in person.
“We thanked them and then they thanked us for how nice they thought this event was,” she said.
Feb. 16, 2011 marked the end of Derek Hotsinpiller’s watch. Each time he is paid tribute and members of the community recognize the sacrifices of law enforcement officers, the sadness of that day is brightened a little, Hartley said.
Read the Connect-Bridgeport about “Paint the Town Blue” HERE.
Read a tribute to Deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller, which ran on our Web site Feb. 16, 2016, HERE.
See more photos of Johnson Elementary School's "Paint the School Blue" at the gallery link below. Did your school or place of business dress in blue today for the observance? Send your photos to julie@connect-bridgeport.com.
