Saturday, February 14, 2009

Blue Star Kids program honored

Jason W. Brooks News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jbrooks@news-bulletin.com

Bosque Farms On a recent chilly morning, more than 30 Bosque Farms Elementary School students were willing to sit at a cafeteria table and work on coloring sheets as part of the Blue Star Kids program.

The program, begun in September of 2007, has fun and lighthearted activities at times, but it's got a very serious motive and message behind it. That's why the program received a New Mexico Quality Education Award for its program design.

Submitted by Ruth Vollmer, Gwen Gordon and Theresa Blythe, the program helps support students whose parents are serving in the military overseas.

"Any kid who wants in, gets in," said Vollmer, the Bosque Farms Elementary School nurse who oversees the Blue Star Kids program. "We've got 50-some kids in the program now, and I know how each of them felt when their loved ones left."

Vollmer has worked with Blue Star Mothers, an organization for adults who have family members serving abroad. She knew there was a need for young students to receive the same support.

"The two programs are intertwined," said Vollmer.

The Blue Star Kids are able to earn field trips and other activities through attendance of the group, which meets before school. Field trip destinations include places such as the Veteran's Memorial Park in Albuquerque.

The group also has musical days twice a month, where patriotic songs are sung. The program has grown rapidly in the past year, as there were only 18 students involved in early March last year.

One of the challenges for the staff has been the moments when one of the students has what Vollmer calls a "meltdown." Sometimes songs, activities or other moments trigger negative emotions that cause some children to become upset about the loved ones they miss.

"We've had a couple of those, but they can return to the group anytime they're ready," said Vollmer.

At a recent gathering, the group was coloring Valentines to send to soldiers overseas, including printout images of hedgehogs wielding hearts and arrows. The Valentines, along with donated reading material and other supplies, were sent out in a shipment by the Blue Star Mothers.

Vollmer praised the coloring skills of the students, and reminded them who they were doing all the work for — the troops.

Of course, the students don't need much of a reminder. Some of them have very close relatives serving overseas.

"It's to help support my dad," said Danna Jesser, a Bosque Farms third-grader.

Vollmer said remaining positive is a key for the program.

"The one thing they all need is encouragement," she said.

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