Millersburg students deliver the mail in school

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow will stop the delivery of the Millersburg Postal Service. A good reason for that is the mail is delivered in the halls of Millersburg Elementary School. The inter-school mail delivery system, which was started by school paraprofessional Tammie Bassett, has generated a great deal of interest among students and staff. Students are writing letters and dropping them off in the cardboard mailbox with cardinal decals on it, in the area of the cafeteria. Stamps cost a penny apiece.

THEN EVERY Thursday, the letters are collected, sorted and delivered to — not mailboxes — but to bags hanging from the doorknobs of Millersburg teachers. In order that the students have an actual address to deliver to, staff and members came up with unique street names. Principal Wendy Brooks receives her mail at 1111 Brooks Avenue, while teacher Jennifer Badgero receives her mail at 7777 Badgero Boulevard. There?s also Whitsitt Way, Dean Drive, and Cafeteria Circle.

?They are loving it,? said Bassett. ?The second week we had 169 letters, and we only have about 99 students.? Every Thursday the letters are being written, processed and delivered to the students and staff. Fourth grader Christian Tollini was involved in processing of the mail last week and enjoyed ?stamping (canceling)? the envelopes. When Tollini was delivering the mail, blue bag and all, he hear ?kids saying ?the letters are coming.? ?

FELLOW FOURTH GRADER Aaron LaLo

nde served as his assistant and was surprised at how many letters he received. ?I don?t know if it?s writing them or getting them,? said Bassett, of what the students like most. ?They seem to like the whole process.? Some letters with improper addresses are stamped ?return to sender? and not delivered. The students are learning communication skills, writing skills, proper mailing procedures and penmanship. This process also increases the students? self-esteem, as the students anxiously await a response from the person they write to. ?Doing this gives me more options about what I want to be,? said Tollini.

Parents and community members are welcome to join in this process, Bassett said. Just call Bassett at the Millersburg Elementary School, 733-4083 ext. 109.