State trooper visits reading challenge winner at school

November 14, 2012

Kindergartener Simon Niemcek and his classmates at Netherwood Knoll Elementary School in Oregon recently received a very special visit to their classroom from State Patrol Trooper Chris Bridges. Trooper Bridges visited the classroom, taught by Ms. Kimberly Lee, to reward Simon for reading this past summer. Simon was a participant in the Transportation Reading Challenge, a Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) initiative encouraging children to read and learn about transportation.

Trooper Bridges talked about his job to help keep Wisconsin highways safe. He shared safety tips and encouraged the children to always wear a seat belt while riding as a passenger in a vehicle. The visit ended with a tour of Trooper Bridges’ cruiser.

Simon is one of five lucky winners around the state to win a visit with a state patrol trooper for participating in the Transportation Reading Challenge. The program was developed to support Governor Walker’s Read to Lead initiative. Children up to age 10 can take part in the program by reading 10 books about transportation. After completing a Reading Challenge Ticket that documents the books have been read, participants submit it to WisDOT’s Office of Public Affairs and are then eligible to win small safety prizes and time with transportation professionals. Since the program started in March 2012, 81 children have completed the reading challenge.

Complete details and rules on the program are available on the WisDOT web site.

For more information, contact:
Peg Schmitt, WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-7744, peg.schmitt@dot.wi.gov