The fog lifted just in time for students at Stewart Elementary School to enjoy a unique outdoor celebration of literacy. Media specialist Heather Drao invited the school district’s Maintenance and Operations teams to bring their big trucks to the bus loop. Families of Stewart students who work in construction or maintenance-related industries also joined the fun.
The special touch-a-truck activity aligns with this year’s theme for Celebrate Literacy Week in Florida: Building Literacy - Constructing a Foundation for Success. Students and teachers wore hardhats, yellow work vests, and tool belts to school, ready to meet the people who operate these big trucks, tractors, lifts, and more.
Kindergarten students giggled and squealed when one of their lucky classmates was chosen to climb into a truck and honk the horn. Tammie Wolfe, Lead of the Grounds Department, carefully helped a select few into the driver’s seat. The Grounds Maintenance team oversees irrigation, lawn equipment repair, pest control, and playground equipment repair at more than 50 schools across Manatee County.
Equipment Repair Technician Clayton Snyder, along with Carpenters Ricardo Casco and Carlos Oropesa Castillo, mentioned that students are typically curious and like to watch crews add mulch to school playgrounds, but this is the first time they’ve had interaction with students to talk about trade careers.
Nearby, students were amazed to get a sneak peek inside a workshop on wheels equipped with machinery needed to make copies of keys. James Falciglia, who started his career as a custodian at Wakeland Elementary more than 30 years ago, now plays a crucial role in keeping students and staff safe every day by fixing broken locks and doors.
School safety is also a priority for Bradley Pollard, who works for the Buildings Maintenance department. They employ professionals passionate about cabinetry, fire alarms, painting, roofing, and security systems for all Manatee County district-operated schools. The bucket and lift on the back of Bradley’s truck helps him reach new heights every day while fixing security cameras.
“If it weren’t for these workers, we wouldn’t have safe schools,” said Heather Drao. She’s thrilled with how the event turned out and continues to think of new ways to inspire a love for literacy and build a stronger future for students.