Highlands Elementary School Thanks First Responders

Highlands Elementary School Thanks First Responders
Shawnee Mission School District

The Highlands Hawks took time this week to express their gratitude to those who serve in our community.

The school held a ceremony to thank police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service responders. During the assembly, students shared a video they created to thank first responders for their service. Click here to see the video.

The school community also shared a variety of expressions of thanks for protecting their school throughout the year, including artwork created by every student.

Sixth-graders also presented a thank-you gift to Jay Fleer, who is the school’s DARE officer. Student Lincoln King used a 3D printer to design and create a special medallion for officer Fleer. He created several design options and his classmates voted on their favorite design. The medallion they selected says “#HeroFleer.”

“It was a great experience to get to create something that would be special for someone else, King said. 

Officer Fleer said the ceremony was a meaningful experience for him and all first-responders in attendance to see the expressions of thanks for the school community. Having responded to an incident earlier this year at the school made the ceremony even more heartfelt, he said.

“It draws you closer as a family,” he said.

Following the appreciation ceremony, Officer Fleer led a DARE graduation ceremony at the elementary school.