April 14, 2026 | By Lisa Scagliotti and Gordon Miller

*Brookside Primary School kindergartner Addilyn Sparks arrives at school in a Waterbury Fire Department firetruck on Friday, April 10. Photo by Gordon Miller*

A Brookside Primary School tradition continued on Friday when a Waterbury Fire Department truck rolled up with a few horn honks to the school drop-off loop to deliver a kindergartner to school.

*The morning begins with a tour at the fire station. Photo by Gordon Miller*

Five-year-old Addilyn Sparks was the winner in the PTO fundraiser earlier this year, having sold the most raffle tickets.

She was treated to a morning tour at the Main Street fire station by firefighter Michael Frank. He gave her an up-close look at what’s needed when firefighters suit up for a call and a demonstration of some of the key features on the truck, such as the siren, horn and ladder.

They then climbed in with Addilyn in the front passenger seat where she had a great view on the drive up Main Street, a loop around Union Street and then up Stowe Street to school.

Her classmates and teacher, Leah Greenberg, were on the front lawn and sidewalk to welcome the truck. Co-Principal Chris Neville supplied some upbeat tunes and danced along with the students, sharing their excitement.

For her part, Addilyn took the special honor in stride. She climbed down from the truck and headed to her parents for a hug. After a class photo beside the fire engine with Frank, the class headed into school for the day, with Addilyn holding the special red plastic firefighter hat that she got to keep from the visit.

Her favorite part? “I really liked the ladders,” she said.

*Addilyn is joined by her parents, Julia Hinkley and Charles Sparks, for the demo with firefighter Michael Frank. Photo by Gordon Miller*

Fundraiser a success

The firetruck tour and escort to school is a top student prize in the fundraiser organized by parent volunteers with the PTO groups at Brookside Primary and Crossett Brook Middle schools. For the past several years, the groups have run a joint fundraiser in February with numerous prizes donated by local businesses and drawings held daily.

According to Crossett Brook PTO Treasurer Tammy Kendrick, this year’s raffle collected 96 prizes worth $7,418. Students at both schools sold over 2,000 tickets and raised $18,483.50 that was split between Brookside Primary and Crossett Brook PTOs.

The parent groups, through their fundraising, support a range of social events, educational activities for students and parents, field trips, staff appreciation events, class projects and more each year.

Other prizes included a pizza party for a class at each school and a 10-punch Vermont State Parks pass for a top-selling student.

Photos below by Gordon Miller. Click to enlarge.