SFA Elementary celebrates Military Week
Contributed photo | Shown here, from left, is SFA student Mikalah Parsons, Coach Joanna Parsons (prior service Marine, currently serving in the Coast Guard Reserve), Sergeant Gregory Cook (retired), Staff Sergeant Jose Torres (currently serving in the Army), and SFA student.
Contributed photo | SFA student Sophia Moya walks through the Museum with her classmates from Mrs. James’ first grade class.
SFA just held its fourth annual Military Week Nov. 11-15 in honor of Veterans Day.
Coach Joanna Parsons (veteran) and SFA’s P.E. coach started this event four years ago and each year, she adds to the celebration.
“This is a great way to teach our children the importance of honoring those who serve in the military,” stated Coach Parsons.
Each day of the week, the students had the opportunity to participate in different activities. On Monday, they raced around an obstacle course and went through a Veteran’s Museum. The museum had various pictures and memorabilia from staff and students’ parents. The students got to walk through it, hear stories, and ask questions during their P.E. classes.
On Tuesday, the MCJROTC from Dayton High School performed drills for the students and two Veterans visited with the students. Staff Sergeant Torres and Sergeant Cook (Army retired) talked to students before the MCJROTC performance. The students were respectful and really enjoyed the presentations.
On Wednesday, the students played a game where the students pretended they were medics and pulled other students to safety. They learned a lot about trusting each other and teamwork.
Then, on Thursday, students went through another obstacle course and museum tour. This activity was a “boot camp” style obstacle course which really got the students’ hearts pumping.
To round out the week, the students had various challenges to see who could do certain exercises the longest, such as a plank, wall-sit, holding a weighted bar, etc. They loved the different competitions.
Coach Parsons beamed as she stated, “Military Week is one of the highlights of the school year for me, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to do it.”
SFA Principal Atiya Wortham remarked as the week came to a close, “In truth, Dayton ISD is thankful for the service of those, like Coach Parsons, whom have fought for our freedoms. Then to have an educator, such as our coach, to take the celebration a step further is amazing. Coach Parsons every year, takes the time to organize, plan, and teach our students history and stories on what our military men and women do for us. She is our SFA Hero!”
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