About 165 children and their families came out for the third annual Dewey Days event at Pleasant Valley Elementary School on June 17. The event included a touch-a-truck, too.

“We where literally nonstop the entire time,” said Valerie Rudawski, a PVES kindergarten teacher helping at the welcome table.

“It’s nice for the community,” Rudawski said. “It’s a great way for the kids to meet one another before the new school year.”

The program was created by PVES teachers in 2022 to give students a free and fun opportunity to continue learning over the summer.

Anne Gordon, one of the program coordinators, said, “We have a great group of teachers that work together to create a really unique and fun experience for our students.”

In addition to Rudawski, Karen Gianotti and Rheannon Parker welcomed families and helped make sure everything ran smoothly. Stacy Meckes, Amber Brown and Christie Doll worked on math games and activities, Gordon said. Noreen Ciarleglio planned and led the read-aloud activity. Jackie Hardy made sure the Dewey Bus was stocked with a wide range of books for the children. And Joan Bumbulskky coordinated the trucks, motorcycles and outside community support.

E.J. Smith, who is going into second grade, said he wanted to come to the event, “because I love trucks, fire trucks.” This was the first time he and his family have been to the event.

Gordon said, “We could not do this every year without the support of the administration.”

PVES Principal Roger Pomposello, Assistant Principal Sarah Adams and the district’s Curriculum Supervisor Jonathan Ayre helped to gain funding for the program through the school idstrict and provide materials.

Gordon added, “We have an incredible support staff at PVE. Our custodians, security, and secretaries are all involve in making sure it runs smoothly.”

Erelene McCormick, a paraprofessional at PVES, helped at the math and activities table. “Oh, I love it,” she said about the event. “The kids are learning and getting to take stuff home. It’s a long 10 weeks. Practicing these math facts over the summer and it gives them a jump start, and it’s nice to see the kids. I miss them.”

From the community, St. Luke’s University Health Network donated bicycle helmets for all of the students and made sure they fit properly. The Pennsylvania State Police visited with a cruiser. Lehigh Valley Health Network had an ambulance at the touch a truck, as well as Polk Township Volunteer Fire Co., Frantz Trucking, Altemose Hauling, Aqua Duck Water Tank, Mountain View Development, the Harley Davidson Owners Club, and two students, Emory and Henry Tworkowsky with their midget racing cars.

The PVES Parent-Teacher Organization provided sno-cones, and talked to parents about how to become a member, Gordon Said. And PVHS students helped by assisting students playing games and putting on temporary tattoos.

“I’m so proud of this program,” Gordon said. “It grows every year and gets bigger and better. It has become a fun way to introduce our new families to PVE and a great way to stay connected to our kids and their families over the summer.”