Elmsford's Carl L. Dixson Primary School Hosts "Career Day"

The Elmsford Police Department dispatched a large contingent of officers to the Carl L. Dixson Primary School in the Elmsford Union Free School District April 20th, as they do every year, to speak to students at the school’s annual Career Day.

Sgt. John Belardo said events like this are important to the department in building positive community relations. It’s also good for the young children at the pre-Kindergarten through the first-grade level to see officers in a friendly setting, he added.

“The more they see us, the more comfortable they become,” said Sgt. Belardo. “We like to be involved in the community and to have everybody know who we are.”

Students dressed up as police officers, doctors and other professions.

Jency Mathew came to talk about being an accountant and figured she would need to be creative in order to grab the students’ interest. So, she brought along play money to demonstrate what she does for a living.

“I was trying to think about what I was going to say about accounting to kids, but everybody has to deal with money at some point so why not start there?”

Erika Moncado, a registered nurse at White Plains Hospital, also wanted to inspire the students and show them examples of what they could become. She admitted she was a bit nervous because, like Mathew, this was her first Career Day event.

“I have an idea of what to expect,” she said. “I will take their energy and go with it.”

Principal Jeff Olender told the day’s speakers that the goal was to simply give the students some ideas and to show them different options. He encouraged them to let the children share their own ideas as well. He also expressed gratitude for their participation.

“We take it really seriously, the fact that you’re here,” he said. “It really touches our hearts."