Billingsville Elementary third-graders’ creative artwork and knowledge about kitchen fires won the school $1,000.  The class took the top prize in the 2009 bulletin board contest sponsored by The Charlotte Fire Department, The Firefighters’ Burned Children Fund and the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal’s Office. 

State and local fire officials, including Charlotte Fire Chief Jon Hannan, presented Principal Byron Campbell with a check during an assembly Friday, Oct. 9.

“We’re going to use your bulletin board to spread messages abut safety,” Chief Hannan told students during the presentation.  “We want you to set an example when it comes to fire safety.

The contest was held in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10.  This year’s theme is “Prevent Kitchen Fires.”  Schools were judged on theme portrayal, creativity and uniqueness. 

Ms. Mistretta and Mrs. Thao’s third grade English as a Second Language class created the winning board.  They used cardboard to create a house and poems and pictures to explain how to prevent kitchen fires.  The bulletin board will be displayed during October.

“I am so proud of these students,” Ms. Mistretta said.  “They read an art book and the ideas started flowing.”

Fireman Dwayne Davis talked to students about fire safety and what to do if they suspect danger.  Davis’ investigative dog, Titan, demonstrated the stop, drop and roll method as well how to crawl through a building when a fire is close by. 

Twenty-seven schools participated in the contest.  Winterfield Elementary won second place and received $750.  Lake Wylie Elementary took the third-place prize and won $250.  Billingsville will use the $1,000 gift to fund field trips for third-graders.

For more information on the contest, visit www.charlottefire.org.