Franklin High School students greeted with music

RPCHESTER, NY – Students at Franklin High School were greeted with smooth jazz at the school on Thursday.

Grammy-nominated musician Jimmie Highsmith Jr. performed in the hallways as the students walked towards the classroom.

The greeting was delivered by Fathers Initiating Restorative Engagement or FIRE. The organization is a group of fathers who reach out to students as positive role models during check-in, firing, and lunch.

Organizers say they want to send students on vacation on a high note.

“To be here with these kids today is just special to me,” Highsmith said. “I am a father. I am a grandfather. I know what it is to want to be supported by someone. My father was in my life, he died two years ago. For almost 50 years I ‘ve had this. So I wanted to give other kids … to be there to support them and show them how to cope with this world. “

“The music is so calming and I don’t even know if Jimmie knows it, but I’m a musician,” said RCSD Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small. “I started playing violin and bassoon. Music has always been a comforting feeling for me and I could really rest.”

FIRE is currently looking for more volunteer dads. You can register by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling 585-262-8362.