Press Release

Fifth-Grader To Be Sworn In As "Postmaster" At Asbury

April 3, 2001

A fifth-grade student at Asbury Elementary School will be sworn in as postmaster of the Asbury Post Office Wednesday, April 4.

The post office is part of the U.S. Postal Service's literacy program, "Wee Deliver." The effort promotes reading, writing and school-to-career skills.

Mike Flores, Postmaster in Denver, will swear the mystery student into office at a special ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Superintendent Bernadette Seick is planning to attend the event.

Asbury will set up its own "post office," with different classrooms assigned their own ZIP codes. School corridors are named as streets and students are able to send correspondence to other students in the same school. (The post office is not open to the general public.)

Also under "Wee Deliver," younger children often design stamps, letter carriers deliver the mail, and others help sort it to make sure it reaches its proper destination.

"This program helps children learn good writing and reading skills," says Asbury teacher Deb Brenna. "It also teaches them the importance of good work habits." The "Wee Deliver" curriculum is aligned with the district standards for reading and writing

"We are excited about getting the community involved in contributing envelopes and other items for the post office," said parent Donna Martinez, who has been instrumental in setting up the program at Asbury. Martinez said Safeway (at Downing and Evans) and nearby Morgan's Pharmacy have already helped "Wee Deliver" get started.

"We feel this is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together for a worthwhile project for students," said Asbury principal Lynne Tucker. "We are looking forward to our children doing a lot of reading and writing in this fun project."