COMMUNITY DAY, WHAT A GREAT DAY!

OK, so Community Day was so much fun!  The snow didn't stop us and it probably made it 10 times more exciting.  Here are the highlights below.  Settle in.  There's lots to look at.  Hope you enjoy!

THE RFTA BUS

This is what 33 first graders on a bus looks like! We had the pleasure of going with Miss Kelly's class today.  The bus driver was very patient.  We were also very well behaved.

THE PATROL ROOM

First stop, the police station.  We met the police chief, Richard Pryor (his wife Pip works at our school).  The assistant police chief, Linda Conseugra.  A police officer, Ritchie Zah.  And the school safety officers Huff (from the Sheriff's Office) and Tina (from the Police Department) were nice enough to be our guides this morning.  Here's a look at the patrol room.  We got a tour of an officers patrol vest.  There's a lot of things in there.  Notice the badges.  We all became Jr. Police Officers today!

THE COURTROOM

Next stop.  The courtroom.  Did you know this room is filled with thousands of books containing every law in Colorado?  There are quite a few.  We were fascinated by them and the different bindings from different years.  We got to sit in the juries chairs, at the witness stand, and where the lawyers, the plaintiff, and defendant sit.  The court clerk showed us around.  He explained going to court like settling an argument that you just can't settle between yourselves.

And, HOLD THE PHONE, we got to hit the gavel TWICE.  It was loud.  Note the funny faces!  (some us didn't want to try).

A POLICE CAR

Next stop, a tour of a police car.  We saw a shotgun that shoots bean bags for bears (they shoot them in the bottom!), a flare (we thought it was probably dynamite), a first aid kit, an AED, a tow strap (which we thought might be a handkerchief, hmmm), a bulletproof vest, and a life preserver just in case.  We also got to hear the horn and sirens.

COMMUNITY BANK

Next stop Community Banks of Colorado.  It was really warm and cozy in there.  We learned that the bank keeps anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000 in cash in the vault on any given day and maybe even more around the holidays.  We saw a 50 year old vault that had to put in by a crane and bolted to the floor.  We saw safety deposit boxes where people keep their valuables and important pieces of paper like birth certificates.  We saw behind the teller's booths and guessed how much different rolls of coins were worth.  We saw the timer they use to set the vault each day.  We were a little bummed when we realized that banks don't give away money to really nice first graders.

THE PLAYGROUND

Whew, it's only 10am and we've been busy.  Next stop, Paradise Bakery for a cookie treat before lunch (don't tell) and the playground on the mall.  Self explanatory, but obviously a highlight.

NY PIZZA

Last stop, NY Pizza.  We each ordered our own slices and picked them up at the counter.  

It was a great experience and we learned a lot.  We're exhausted, but very happy and content. We explored our community and learned about the different parts that make it work.  We live in an amazing place.