CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Teachers preparing their classrooms for the start of the new school year are getting a helping hand from about 250 military members.
It’s an annual effort called “Servicing Our Schools.” It’s through the Naval Support Activity command. Sailors help 28 schools - elementary, middle, and high schools in Chesapeake.
According to the Navy, these military members will help lighten the load for teachers, allowing them to focus on other responsibilities related to planning, developing, and organizing student instruction. Volunteers help with all kinds of tasks like decorating bulletin boards, sorting and distributing books, assembling and rearranging furniture, and even weeding outdoor learning spaces.
“It is an honor for our military members to give back to the local schools and show support to our amazing teachers,” said Capt. Matt Frauenzimmer, Commanding Officer of NSA Hampton Roads.
Doctor Jared Cotton, Superintendent for Chesapeake Public Schools was at Deep Creek Elementary to see the work in action.
"As a former teacher myself, I recruited everybody I could find to help set up my classroom, and our teachers and staff are doing the same thing," said Cotton. "But of course, having great partners with our local military to come in and support us is so powerful, because they work hard and they work long hours to support our teachers."
