Lafayette Sheriff's Office teaches students responsibility, patriotism through flag-raising
The American flag flew over Ossun Elementary nearly every day this school year thanks to three students, their school resource officer and a little help from the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office.
Fifth-graders Kip Carter and Draven Holeman and fourth-grader Kyndon Arvie were responsible for raising, lowering, folding and storing the flag each day.
They were selected for the job based on their interest and some existing knowledge of the flag, things their SRO, Cpl. Kristale Broussard, was looking for among applicants.
But they had more to learn. The LPSO Honor Guard Team visited the school to train them, teaching them the proper way to complete each step as well as the meaning behind it.
"I learned how to fold the flag and never to show red," Kip said. "That shows disrespect to people in the Army."
The fifth-grader wanted to be a part of this to honor his aunt, who was in the Army, he said.
The boys were celebrated Friday in front of their peers, principals, SRO and sheriff's deputies.
Broussard presented them with certificates of appreciation, and State Representatives Jonathan Goudeau and Julie Emerson gave them folded American flags that were once flown over the Louisiana State Capitol building.
Ceremonies and programs like these are part of the relationship-building work that school resource officers try to do every day, according to law enforcement.
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Staff Sgt. Shelley Landry, who is SRO supervisor and a member of the Honor Guard that trained the students, emphasized the importance of building those relationships.
"It gives them a different sense of us as people and citizens of the community, that we're here for them if they call 911 or if they show up to school dealing with an issue and want to open up and communicate about it," Landry said.
Broussard said she creates those connections through conversation, playing games and going for walks when students need them.
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Ossun Principal Lorrie Venable is already thinking ahead to next year, talking Friday with LPSO about the Honor Guard Team coming out to train the next group of leaders to take on this task.
"It was a rewarding experience for everyone involved," Venable said.
Contact children's issues reporter Leigh Guidry at Lguidry@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @LeighGGuidry.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LPSO teaches students responsibility, patriotism through flag-raising
