Mayor, Salem Public Schools, and DPS Honor Kindergarten Class Who Submitted the Name
SALEM, MA – Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem this morning unveiled the latest addition to the City’s Department of Public Services fleet. Outside Saltonstall Elementary School, the kindergarteners who submitted the name for consideration were on-hand to christen Chicken Nugget, the City’s newest garbage truck.
In December, elementary school students from across Salem Public Schools submitted suggested names for the new vehicle. The Mayor’s Office narrowed the list down to twelve promising favorites. An online survey was then issued to the broader Salem community, and everyone was encouraged to vote. While all twelve names were strong contenders, two strong front-runners emerged early on, The Hunka Junka Truck, and Chicken Nugget. In the end, Chicken Nugget pulled off the win, garnering 374 of the total 1,077 votes cast by the community.
The winning entry, Chicken Nugget, was submitted by Mrs. Corriveau’s kindergarten class at Saltonstall Elementary School, and specifically by kindergarten student Elian Soto-Villanueva. At this morning’s unveiling, students were presented with yellow safety vests and chicken nugget shaped keychains by DPS Director Ray Jodoin, as well as hearty congratulations and thanks from Mayor Pangallo.
“I want to extend my gratitude to every class that submitted their ideas for names for the new truck, and to everyone who voted on them!” said Mayor Dominick Pangallo, “I’m also appreciative of the City staff – from my office, the Salem Children’s Alliance, and the Department of Public Services – who made this fun event possible. We’re always happy to engage students with their local government and with the civic work happening to make their city a better place for everyone! Congratulations to Mrs. Corriveau’s class!”
“I’m so thankful have been given this opportunity to give back to my community,” remarked Ray Jodoin, Director of Public Services for the City of Salem, “As a Salem Public Schools graduate myself (class of 1997) I am sure that our residents may not be aware of the services DPS provides from day to day. This is one of many great opportunities that we can do to connect with our young residents and show them that they can act, think, and succeed as active citizens along with building Salem pride. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing everything coming full circle and giving back.”
“Civic engagement starts at a young age,” said Sarah Roy, Director of the Salem Children’s Alliance, “In Salem, we want our youngest residents to understand that they have the power to make a positive impact on their community. Their imagination and creativity bring so much joy to Salem and are a part of what makes our community special.”
“I am pleased to see the enthusiasm of our kindergarten students on this project,” said Dr. Stephen Zrike, Superintendent of Salem Public Schools. “I am equally happy to see them involved in a civic project at such a young age where, even as young as kindergarten, they are seeing they can make a difference in their city.”
Proud students and the general public will be able to see Chicken Nugget making its rounds to keep Salem clean and beautiful at our local parks and throughout our city streets right away and in the coming years. The City of Salem is hoping that this fun community initiative underscores the idea that it is never to early to start engaging with the community and to share our ideas and voices, and that at any age, it is very possible to make a positive difference.
