"I Walk & Ride Safely" program teaches safety skills
Parents and their students entering kindergarten this fall are encouraged to attend the free annual I Walk & Ride Safely program sponsored by Poudre School District, the Fort Collins Police Department, and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department. Older students are also welcome to attend. Children will learn how to walk to school or ride a school bus safely. Instructions are given under actual traffic conditions, including crosswalks, signs, traffic signals, automobile traffic, and crossing guards. PSD school bus operators participate at all schools and the Fort Collins Police Department and/or Larimer County Sheriff’s Department will participate at some schools. For more information, please call the training department at 490-3141 or 490-3578.
2012 I Walk/ Ride Safely Schedule (Please note: Some presentations include two schools. If two schools are listed for a presentation, the presentation will be held at the first school listed)
Monday, August 13:
- 8:30am, Johnson Elementary (with Lopez Elementary students)
- 9:30am, McGraw Elementary (with Werner Elementary students)
- 10:30am, Kruse Elementary
- 11:30am, Linton Elementary
- 1:30pm, Shepardson Elementary
- 2:30pm Zach Elementary (with Bacon Elementary students)
Tuesday, August 14:
- 8:30am, Beattie Elementary
- 9:30am, Putnam Elementary (with Irish Elementary students)
- 10:30am, Cache La Poudre Elementary
- 11:30am, Tavelli Elementary
- 1:30pm, Eyestone Elementary (with Rice Elementary students)
- 2:30pm, Timnath Elementary (with Bethke Elementary students)
Wednesday, August 15:
- 8:30am, O’Dea Elementary
- 9:30am, Riffenburgh Elementary
- 10:30am, Laurel Elementary
- 11:30am, Olander Elementary
- 1:30pm, Bauder Elementary
- 2:30pm, Bennett Elementary (with Dunn Elementary students)
Eyestone Elementary volunteer celebrated as an 7Everyday Hero
When volunteer Betty Morris’ husband passed away over 16 years ago, she felt she needed something to do with her time. She contacted Eyestone Elementary saying she wanted to volunteer to help out the students. Her volunteer career began there.
Since that time, Morris, 83-years-young, has been going to Eyestone three days a week, for over three hours each day, to help classrooms in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. Third grade teacher, Michelle Hayes says, “She is an amazing volunteer, who you know will always be there when she says she will be there. She’s funny, a little bit sassy, and doesn’t take guff from anybody! She is always willing to take on any job, and holds the students accountable, expecting them to meet their goals. Morris presents a ‘grandmotherly’ influence, and the students love to work with her. She is an inspiration for all of us.”
Morris helps in the classroom by working with students who have missed assignments and helping them with their reading. She also assists teachers with copying materials, and anything else that is needed, so that the teachers can teach. First grade teacher, Ruth Brungardt, says, “I always know I can give her any child, activity, or group to work with and the job will be well done. She has been reading with my students this year and she makes sure that they do the work, and the thinking, so that their reading improves, which I really appreciate.”
When asked why she volunteers, Morris says, “I like kids. Volunteering helped me over the hump after my husband passed away. I was going bonkers with nothing to do. I can’t sit still! So, I called the school and they ‘gobbled me up.’ They’ve kept me busy ever since! It’s nice to watch kids grow and all of a sudden, you see the light go on. It’s very gratifying to see them learn to like school and reading. I like that.” Morris says that reading is the most important in learning, “Once you can read, you can do anything. If you can read, you can have the world.”
In her spare time, she enjoys quilting, swimming, and yoga. “I try to stay out of trouble,” says Morris. She has two children and five grandchildren. She also enjoys taking cruises, and has been to six countries.
As a way of honoring Morris, teacher Michelle Hayes nominated her for the Channel 7Everyday Hero award, and she was selected! On May 16, 2012, Mitch Jelniker of Channel 7 presented Morris with the award in the classroom! “Betty’s Story” is available on their website .
Morris will officially retired from volunteering at Eyestone at the end of this school year. Throughout her years at Eyestone, Morris says, “I made dear friends, who spoil me rotten. The kids have kept me young. Volunteering gave to me. The Eyestone staff has been so kind to me.” She will be missed.