At Clover Flat Elementary School in the rural East County area of San Diego, students have been able to form a unique relationship with local firefighters. The relationship built between the San Diego County Fire members and students at Clover Flat Elementary gives each person involved a positive and exciting encounter to look forward to weekly.
The partnership enjoyed by students with the local firefighters started when Clover Flat Elementary School Principal, Christi Martelli, noticed the lack of positive male relationships in her students’ lives. “We only have one male on staff and many of our students don’t have a father in the home,” says Principal Martelli. This caused her to reach out to San Diego County Fire Captain, Israel Pinzon, to see if the firefighters could come volunteer during PE time.
Captain Pinzon loved the idea proposed by Principal Martelli, and he made a commitment to have members of his fire crew come out weekly as long as they were available. The firefighters from San Diego County Fire started volunteering during PE with the students at Clover Flat two years ago. Students have loved the interactions and relationships built by this partnership and always look forward to visits from San Diego County Fire Firefighters.
The relationships developed with the firefighters go beyond a positive interaction with someone during PE, though. The firefighters always make it a point to attend Clover Flat’s annual Holiday Program and students often see some of the firefighters they know in the community and in their neighborhoods. These interactions are so important for students to see that their education is supported by the community, but also in times of crisis. Southern California is known for their yearly fire seasons, with fires often hitting communities near Clover Flat Elementary. Having a personal relationship with firefighters and knowing they can help could make a huge difference in the midst of an emergency situation.
Visit Clover Flat Elementary School’s site to learn more about the school and its programs at cf.meusd.org.
Media ContactCompany Name: Mountain Empire Unified School DistrictContact Person: Kathy GrangerEmail: Send EmailPhone: 619-473-9022Address:3291 BUCKMAN SPRINGS RD City: Pine ValleyState: CACountry: United StatesWebsite: http://www.meusd.k12.ca.us/
