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Fredbird brings positive messages to Jamestown students
Jamestown Students Appreciate
Positive Messages from FredBird
He didn’t say much, but FredBird, the mascot for the St. Louis Cardinals’, had a lot to share with students at Jamestown Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District.
FredBird and his friend, former Cardinal Joe Cunningham, visited Jamestown as part of the Cardinals’ “Doin’ it Right” program. The program features three key messages: stay in school, get involved in sports and activities, and don’t do drugs. Through music and video clips featuring Cardinals teammates, the presentation was energetic and exciting. While Cunningham spoke to the students, FredBird worked the crowd, keeping the attention of everyone in the gym.
Cunningham talked about his experience as a baseball player, but more importantly, gave the students a chance to share their knowledge about why it’s important to stay away from drugs. During the assembly, he picked students from the audience to join him and to answer the question, “Why is it bad to drugs?”
Responses ranged from “Because they’re bad for you,” to “They will make you die.”
One youngster said, “Because no one will trust you anymore.” Cunningham and many teachers applauded his answer. FredBird rewarded the students for their participation with various Cardinals-themed prizes such as pencil pouches, T-shirts, drawstring backpacks and lunchboxes.
Lisa Strauther, principal of Jamestown, said the assembly would “help reinforce topics we stress to students on a daily basis.”
“However, the difference is that having FredBird present the information makes it a bit cooler than the principal saying the same thing. Many times students need something catchy to help them remember information and the singing, dancing and laughter brought on by this presentation helps to do just that,” she said.
The assemblies were split among pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students.
“Our younger students really got into the experience that FredBird brought to Jamestown,” said Strauther. “Their eyes light up and you know they are enjoying it. What is even more convincing is when you see the students in the hallway at different times and they talk to you about the assembly and actually remember the different topics that were discussed. That’s when you know you had a captive audience.”
