Penn’s procession: Parade greets students of Bethel Park elementary school
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Prepared for the parade are William Penn teachers, from left, Beth Ann Petalino, second grade; Lori Joseph, first grade; and Kim Serafini, third grade.
William Penn kindergarten teacher Michelle Sappas is the proud mother of Reagan, left, and Fitz.
Sydney Litzenburger, a special education paraprofessional at William Penn, drives the lead vehicle.
William Penn library media specialist Milana Popovic displays a warm message for William Penn students.
Bria Throm and daughter Chloe check out the proceedings.
William Penn fourth-grade teacher Jennifer Sabol gets ready to hit the road.
As long as no emergency is involved, youngsters – plenty of older folks, too – continue to enjoy seeing fire trucks and hearing their sirens.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
William Penn second-grader Abby Gerginski and dad Brian have a message for the teachers.
During the string of recent parades held in lieu of traditional celebrations because of COVID-19, members of Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company have been happy to participate and bring their shiny vehicles with them.
One led the way recently for a procession of William Penn Elementary School teachers and staff members, who gathered on the morning of June 4 to pay a rolling visit to their students, most of whom they hadn’t seen since mid-March.
Actually, leading the way was a car driven by longtime special education paraprofessional Sydney Litzenburger, with a festive cluster of red, white and blue balloons attached to the roof.
The parade wound around roads where the children who attend Penn live, and many gathered outside with signs acknowledging their teachers, just as teachers displayed signs acknowledging their students.
And everyone acknowledges the fire company’s role in making such events all the much more special.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
The Bethel Park Voluntter Fire Company has participated in many a parade lately, and joining the contingent at William Penn Elementary School are, from left, Capt. Eva Parker, Brady Stallings and Chuck Moore.