Could it be true: a talk to first-graders about public relations? That is what Piper Elementary School teacher Jan Hebda thought she was bringing her students to last month.

As they sat in the school’s gymnasium, District 100 Public Information Coordinator Dan Lane began to speak about his new job, much to the confusion of the teacher.

“I was trying to understand why they thought first-graders would understand public relations,” Hebda said.

As she was trying to figure things out, Piper Principal John Fontanetta broke the news to Lane that he was not there to speak on public relations, but that everyone was in attendance for a surprise for Hebda.

The curtain of the stage opened and the surprise was revealed: Nearly a dozen employees from OfficeMax along with a giant box with a bow.

Hebda was one of 1,000 teachers nationwide honored last month during the “A Day Made Better” event by OfficeMax and Adopt-A-Classroom.

She took a seat on stage in her new chair and opened the box of supplies, which included pens, highlighters, and stickers, along with a new digital camera and printer for her class.

OfficeMax also gave a box of supplies for the rest of the school’s teachers to use throughout the year, and each child in attendance at the surprise was given a bag filled with school supplies.

A month later, Hebda said the surprise and supplies were a big success.

“The kids love seeing themselves on video and it encourages them to get better,” Hebda said. “It was the box that keeps on giving.”

Notable

Hebda was the creator of the first-grade writing center at Piper, and has used some of the items received from OfficeMax this year. Students at the center that complete their goals are able to use one of the special gel pens.

& quotable

“It was one of those days you remember for a lifetime,” Hebda said

Philosophy

“Education has to be fun and exciting with an element of discovery so children want to be in class.”

Favorites

HOBBIES Hiking and reading
BOOK “Roots”
MOVIES “Meet Joe Black” and “Medicine Man”