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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Multiple members of the community gathered at Pershing Elementary for a surprise pep assembly as students prepare to take their Missouri Assessment Program Growth exams throughout the week.
Everyone participating in the school's pep assembly received one of the following: a noisemaker, confetti stick or can of silly string to shower students with as they walked through the celebration. St. Joseph city departments, older students from Lafayette High School, members of the school board, local business owners and parents celebrated with the youngsters.
"Today is a fun day to let kids know the community's aware of them," Parks Director Jeff Atkins said. "We're rooting for them, showing our support as they prepare for testing. We want them to know the adults care about them. I have my nephew in the Lafayette band along with my great nieces and my great nephews in the celebration. I got to yell at them when they passed by. It's fun when they all get to see Uncle Jeff."
Mary Sanders, a fourth grade teacher at Pershing Elementary thought up the idea from several lessons she teaches that emphasize the concepts of "community" and "love," both of which were drivers in the planning of the celebration.
"What I want them to remember is how loved they are by the teachers and community," she said. "We are beyond proud of them. They've worked hard all year long. This is a celebration of the overall school year. As a teacher, the growth I've seen in my classroom is why I teach. Everyone at Pershing and in this community wants to celebrate their growth."
Of the many community groups present for the assembly, Sanders was especially grateful to have students from Lafayette in attendance as she herself is a proud Lafayette alum.
"It's extra meaningful as a Lafayette graduate to have students from the high school be here," Sanders said. "I love our Lafayette students and the time they spend with our kids. It's nice to have them play in their band, be here to support our kids, and help excite them for state tests."
Both Sanders and other community members hope today's celebration can act as a blueprint of sorts for other schools in the district to help uplift students.
"I wish all the schools did a celebration like this," Atkins said. "At Parks and Recreation we take part in friendly Fridays around town where we'll go on Friday mornings and greet the kids as arrive at school. Events that are geared to encouraging kids is fun for everyone involved. And once again, it just lets them know that people do care about them."
