HIS Kids Christian School students, from left, Brody Foreback, Khloe Keefer, Reese Machak and Rachel Karwoski volunteer to try on handcuffs brought to the school by State Trooper Dan Kesten during his visit to the school.

JEFFERSON TWP — There was no reason for alarm when police cars filled the parking lot at HIS Kids Christian School, 650 Saxonburg Road, recently.

There wasn't a crime in progress. Instead, five Pennsylvania State Police troopers had been invited to the school for a lunch and interaction with students Jan. 29.

School Principal Debora Dawson said all 60 members of the student body, ranging from kindergartners through fourth-graders, took part in the visit.

“We invited five state troopers from the Butler barracks to lunch as part of a way to show appreciation and to get the students comfortable with them,” said Dawson.

All the students took part in preparing for the day, said Dawson, from kindergarten students drawing pictures to the first-graders making place mats.

Fourth-graders served and carried plates and escorted officers to student lunch tables to share meals and conversation.

Dawson said, “The boosters made lasagna for the troopers, and the students had their usual tater tots.”

Dawson said, as part of a police initiative, state police drive through the parking lots of schools they pass by.

“Our kids are used to seeing them around,” said Dawson. “But I think that's the reason for the day, to let them realize they (the troopers) are real people.”

Students were given the opportunity to ask questions and examine some of the equipment the troopers use in the line of duty.

After lunch, HIS Kids students presented the officers with handwritten notes and pictures to show their appreciation for the work police officers do on a daily basis to keep their school safe.

The entire group of elementary students then took to the stage to serenade the officers with the song, “A Police Tribute: The Ones in Blue.”

Music teacher Suzanne Adams said, “It was written, I believe, by a gentleman who just wrote and recorded it himself.

“I found it on YouTube. It's an awesome song,” said Adams.

“The whole school practiced the song for three to four weeks before singing it at the end of the lunch,” said Adams. “We sang along with the YouTube video.”

“There wasn't a dry eye in the house when that song was done,” said Dawson. “We plan to do this again next year. The day can be both a career awareness day and a time to expand the students' comfort zone.”

Adams said of the troopers' visit, “It was really nice, and I think the police really enjoyed it.”