Spc. Randy Daniels, human resources specialist, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, gives a double high-five to a student as he heads back inside from recess Sept. 23, 2016, at Gold Camp Elementary School in Colorado Springs. (Photo by 1st Lt. Logan Bolitho)
By 1st Lt. Logan Bolitho
4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
COLORADO SPRINGS — Soldiers with the 4th Brigade Support Battalion partnered with Gold Camp Elementary School to volunteer and help out with lunch recess duty.
Recess can be a special part of a child’s school experience, but sometimes the fun can go too far and a child can get hurt. That’s why the teachers and faculty at Gold Camp Elementary School have volunteers on recess duty to keep an eye on the students on the playground.
Pfc. Shani Maxwell, signal systems support specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, plays with several first-graders in a sand box during recess at Gold Camp Elementary School in Colorado Springs Sept. 23, 2016. (Photo by 1st Lt. Logan Bolitho)
Officials at 4th BSB, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, reached out to Gold Camp Elementary in support of the post’s Adopt-A-School program. Soldiers were invited by the faculty to join them at recess and lunchtime to get to know the students a little better and watch out for their health and welfare.
“The purpose of the recess duty is to make sure the kids are safe and that they follow school rules,” said Lori Eick, English language development teacher. “Having the Soldiers here helps the teachers watch the kids.”
Whether it be tetherball, basketball, swings or just sitting in a circle talking, the children of Gold Camp Elementary make the most of lunch and recess.
Recess rotations last for two hours each day at Gold Camp Elementary and at least three teachers and helpers must be present at all times.
Having the Soldiers on the playground, watching and joining in the children’s games, helped take the load off of the teachers and volunteers, and allowed the kids to interact with Soldiers.
“It’s wonderful to have the Soldiers at the school,” said Laura Treglia, a parent volunteer. “The military is a part of the community and the recess patrol is a great way to have a presence at the school.”
Seeing the Soldiers of the “Packhorse” Battalion helping out at their school and joining in the children’s games is a way for the children to learn more about the military. According to the Colorado School Administration, roughly 15 percent of students at Gold Camp Elementary have military parents.
“It’s really cool having real Army guys at our school,” said a first-grader.
“They were really good at basketball, and we had fun playing with them,” said another first-grader.
The feedback from the students and faculty has been all positive and the Soldiers also enjoy their time at the school.
“I had a lot of fun with the kids,” said Pvt. Shani Maxwell, signal systems support specialist, 4th BSB. “My favorite part was interacting with the kids. It made me feel like a little kid again.”
Soldiers continue to volunteer for recess duty every Thursday and Friday and the battalion plans to help out with several upcoming school events.