Sgt. Erik Pedersen, automated tactical data system specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, assists students Zach Majetich and Heaven Turley with a class project March 1, 2016, at Jordahl Elementary School in Fountain. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones)
By Staff Sgt. Grady Jones
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FOUNTAIN — Students of Jordahl Elementary School stared in amazement as Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, entered their classrooms March 1, 2016.
The Soldiers with the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, are partnered with the Fountain elementary school as part of the Adopt-A-School program.
The Soldiers assisted the first-graders with their clock projects during their latest visit.
“We were helping the students learn how to tell time,” said Spc. Adonis Malave, field artillery firefinder radar operator, HHB, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg.
The project required students to attach minute and hour hands to clocks, under the supervision of their teacher.
“We helped the kids cut out the pieces and attach them to their projects,” said Malave.
Interacting with a large number of children can be a daunting task but on this day it seemed more manageable, said Mindy Gross, teacher, Jordahl Elementary School.
“Having the Soldiers in the classroom is such a big help,” said Gross, a military spouse. “Having more adults in the classroom helps the students get more one-on-one attention with their tasks and assignments.”
The students constantly requested the Soldiers’ assistance.
“Dealing with this many children can be tough, but I like helping the kids,” said Sgt. Erik Pedersen, automated tactical data system specialist, HHB, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg.
The visit ended after physical education, where the students and Soldiers had fun participating in a relay race.
“I had a good time racing with the Soldiers,” said Jordahl student Lindsay Hamilton.
Interaction with children takes a different approach than interacting with adults, said Malave.
“The kids don’t see rank, but they see everyone in the same uniform,” he said. “They kind of put us on a pedestal.”
Programs like Adopt-A-School are a way for Soldiers and military units to give back to the local communities surrounding Fort Carson.
“It feels good to give back to the community by helping the students,” said Malave.