'Hot' Ride to School Offers Kids Unique Experience

If they weren't fired up for school, at least the ride there gave these kids something to be excited about.

Seven students got to ride to school in a Port Washington fire truck on Friday morning.

"The fire truck ride to school was an experience of a lifetime," parent Tracy Modjeski said in an e-mail. "The kids had so much fun! We started with a fantastic fire themed breakfast of fire hydrant French toast, fire truck pancakes, dalmation muffins, sizzling bacon and flaming OJ."

The students included Noah and David Day, Henry and Jacob Modjeski, Brody Kassens, Noah Doherty and Ella Crass; the truck was driven by Port Washington Fire Chief Mark Mitchell.

The ride was won through a silent auction held as part of a social event hosted by the Dunwiddie Parent Connection group.

"It was our first time doing this particular fundraiser," event co-organizer Melissa McCaman said, adding the dessert social was meant to welcome kids and new students at the beginning of the year.

"Our silent auction actually turned out to be bigger than we anticipated," she said. Money raised at the event and through other DPC fundraisers goes back to help the school. The group was able to purchase smart boards and computer counterparts for all classrooms, and also uses the money for playground equipment, all-school socials and "things that really benefit all the students."