When San Antonio Police Officer, Jason Chamness was just eight years old, he left his former school district and started a new school year at North East ISD in Windcrest Elementary School. For any third-grade student, the first day of school can be intimidating and a bit nerve-wracking. Luckily for Jason, his teacher was Yvette Debolt and he quickly learned that what seemed like such a scary place, wasn’t scary at all.
“She was a great teacher,” said Chamness. “I remember how kind she was to me and how much I enjoyed her class. I was lucky to have her that first year.”
Twenty years later, Chamness visited Windcrest to reunite with Mrs. Debolt. With a bouquet, a hug and a simple thank you, Jason shared how much that first year meant to him.
“Jason was one of my really good students, said Debolt. “As an elementary teacher, you don’t always get to see them at the end of the journey. I am so touched and so proud of him and all he has become.”
Jason was also at the school to participate in the unique District initiative called Meals for Shields.
In its second year, the Meals for Shields program invites all local law enforcement to come into elementary schools and share a meal with the students. Officers get to know the students and students get to meet and interact with a positive role model over lunch. The program also provides an added layer of security.
While in uniform, he joined Mrs. De Bolt’s first-grade class in the cafeteria for lunch. They talked over pizza about school and what it is like being a police officer.
“For these students to be able to see someone who grew up right where they are growing up and to see them coming back and giving back to their community is great, “said Sharon Glosson, Executive Director of School Nutrition. “And this is all done by simply sharing a meal and just letting them know the steps that they can take to also be successful.”
Last year, the Meals for Shields program served approximately 140 meals to our community officers and almost two-thirds of NEISD elementary schools participated in the program.
