The Community Youth Care Services (CYCSI) arranged for 27 elementary school children to have a JFK Airport Day. Cheryl Caddle, Executive Director of the CYCSI, worked with the Felita Tross of the FAA, Fire Department and Police canine unit at JFK to have the children spent several hours at the airport interacting with the Airport Rescue Fire Fighters (ARFF), Port Police dogs and Air Traffic Control Tower professionals who explained what their jobs entail and what they do at the airport.
These fourth-sixth grade students from the Cambria Heights PS176Q school were thrilled to spend time with airport personnel while huge jets roared overhead. The ARFF unit men showed off their new fire fighting equipment and allowed each willing student to climb into the cab of the fire trucks. The lucky ones used the water cannon throttle to spray streams of water above the group who reveled in the cool mist that fell from the sky. Then the group was lead to the Police canine area where two explosive sniffing dogs showed their skills in uncovering fake explosives. The children were allowed to make friends with the pups who loved the attention. Following that, the group was bussed to the Terminal 4 air traffic control tower. An imposing building which directs air traffic for one of the busiest airports in the world welcomed the group. They were brought up to the top level of the tower in small groups and allowed to ask questions of the tour leader Tom Sargent who pointed out the runways and planes from far above the ground.
Caddle explained that the visit was one way in which these children can learn of the vocational and professional opportunities that exist near their communities. She felt that the opportunity to meet with successful people would empower these young minority children to reach high in their future educational and life goals.
