Belleville Cops, Firefighters Visit Nursery School For Graduation

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A nursery school in Belleville got a welcome assist from their local first responders, who helped to make a tricky graduation ceremony something special for the kids.

Little Scholar Nursery School recently wrote the following letter to the Belleville police and fire departments.

"Dear Belleville Police Department & Fire Department,

"During this crisis we were presented with a very difficult decision. How can we do a graduation for the children if we are not open. We have had a huge graduation ceremony for our Preschools and Kindergartners for the last 42 years. It is very difficult for our children to understand COVID and why they can do what they are used to doing. They don’t understand why they cannot play of all of their friends at school. When we re-opened on June 15 we were determined to have a graduation for our children. We didn’t want our families to miss out on a graduation that some have been looking forward to for almost 5 years. So we decided to make something happen amidst the “new normal”.

"We asked Deputy Chief Marty Lutz with Belleville Office of Emergency Management and Belleville Fire Department and Lt. Frank Pignataro with the Belleville Police Department to help us lead a car parade graduation. The departments were so willing to help us make it happen. And did they ever! The Fire tuck lead the parade sirens blaring and horns honking. The children were so excited to see police officers and fire men involved in the graduation.

"We had posters with the children’s pictures lining Little Street. Parents decorated their cars with streamers and balloons. We had diplomas for them and we had parents cheering them on! Even in the worst of times we made a special time for them. Everyone left just a little bit happier that night. Something we all needed.

"The Staff of Little Scholar thank you the Belleville Fire and Police Departments for making the children’s day so very special! It could not have been any better than it was. And we could not have done it without your help and guidance and for that we THANK YOU!"

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