Sheckler Elementary School student Andrew Baker received a much-needed morale boost March 23. He got to spend a lovely afternoon with Officers Pat Best and Jenna Potak, of the Catasauqua Police Department.

Best and Potak serve as the Catasauqua Area School District school resource officers and spend most of their time connecting with the students. They’ve worked especially hard since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to keep spirits high and support the local youth.

According to Andrew’s mother, Jennifer Baker, the second-grader has been dealing with some anxiety issues. The interruption in his daily schedule, especially with the snow days this winter, has affected him negatively. He’s been attending class in person, and having to switch between in-person learning and virtual learning took its toll.

“The extended days off and getting out of a normal routine are extremely rough on the young children,” Baker said. “Being separated from friends all day wearing a mask is also tough in their little world.”

She noted Andrew has been working with his teacher, Mrs. Hillanbrand, and his school counselor, Mrs. Spengler, to combat the anxiety. Additionally, the start of the spring season is bringing to light the fun activities they are not able to take part in or will have to adapt to new changes due to the pandemic.

“This is the time of year when the kids normally have fun activities to look forward to - outdoor recess and gym, egg hunts, field day, field trips, etc.,” Baker said.

She also reported Andrew recently found some research on the COVID-19 virus without her knowledge. She said this led to nightmares and worries for him that he tried to keep to himself. Thankfully, he opened up about his concerns, and they were able to talk it out together.

Baker reached out to Potak to help. According to Potak, Baker sought her out after seeing a Facebook post of the SROs cheering up a Sheckler student around St. Patrick’s Day. Baker asked if Potak was working on anything Andrew could get involved in or help with.

“He enjoys being involved, and I thought that would help ease his mind and anxiety,” Baker said.

Potak agreed to speak with Andrew about helping with her JD Potak Rocks initiative, in which she paints rocks with cheerful messages and hides them around the area. The hope is to make people smile when they find the rocks.

Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the school, Sheckler moved to virtual instruction March 22 and 23.

“Rather than waiting until they went back to class, she (Potak) offered to stop by our house and talk to him there about the rocks,” Baker said.

Since they arrived in the afternoon, the officers brought along some sidewalk chalk to take part in a fun activity together. At the start of the pandemic, the officers started the Chalk Your Walk campaign where they share uplifting messages via chalk drawings throughout the area.

“I was surprised when both officers showed up together and immediately starting chalking our sidewalk as I brought Andrew outside,” Baker said.

She noted that as soon as Andrew began drawing with the officers, they started talking and the conversation flowed naturally between them.

“They shared personal experiences with him and he did with them,” Baker noted. “They spoke about being there for him whenever he needs someone to talk to or to help him get through a tough time.”

She reported Best even shared his phone number with Andrew and assured him he can use it whenever he needs to.

According to Baker, Andrew received his rock painting assignment from Potak with a smile and received a box of chalk to continue creating positive messages around the neighborhood.

“He immediately shared the chalk and got to work with the neighboring children after the officers departed,” Baker said.

She reported Andrew has been more upbeat and happy since the officers’ visit. She noted he looks for them each morning during school drop-off.

Andrew and Baker have already made a few painted rocks and hidden them around town. Potak supplies Andrew with the rocks with prepainted backs with the JD Rocks Facebook information. Andrew and his mother then design the rocks and place them around town for others to find.

Baker said Andrew is anxiously waiting for someone to find them and post the photos to the JD Potak Rocks Facebook page.

“It is an honor to be able to get the public’s assistance with my program, and I will continue to ask youth to assist,” Potak said regarding the rock painting program. “I want our youth to feel important and needed in the community.”

“Their message was very clear - ‘Stay Strong’ and we will get through this together,” Baker reflected. “The officers are always encouraging, happy and present in our community in so many ways. They really have made a great deal of happiness around a difficult time for so many people.”

Baker shared how heartwarming it was to see the two officers taking time out of their day to get down on the sidewalk and color with a local boy. She said they really made it seem like visiting Andrew was the most important thing they had to do in that moment.

“It was a humbling experience to be able to make a difference in a young person’s life,” Potak said. “To see a child smile from our interaction, I know we made a difference.”

Baker knows this was a special moment her son will hold onto for the future.

“Going to school every day can still be a little challenging,” Baker said, “but I remind him of the officers’ message, ‘We’re all in this together, and we will get through it together.”

“It is an honor to be a school resource officer for Catasauqua Area School District,” Potak said. “We get a chance to interact with the youth and give them another person in their life to look up to, run to when needed and to just talk to. The saying goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’”