Norwich – The Rescue 5 firetruck rounded the corner at the 61 Henry St. apartment complex at noon, and 5-year-old Jesse Rauscher pumped both fists in the air and jumped up and down.

Today, the bright red East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department truck served as Jesse's school bus and firefighter Bill Guile, his bus driver.

"He's been looking forward to this for so long. His grandfather was a firefighter," Jesse's father, Joe Rauscher said, referring to Franc Rauscher of St. Peters, Missouri.

Jesse was one of seven Norwich kindergarten students who likely didn't welcome the extra six days of summer courtesy of Tropical Storm Irene after they were selected in a drawing to win firetruck rides to school on the first day.

The contest was part of a joint effort by the Norwich public school system and the Norwich Children's First/School Readiness Council to boost early kindergarten registration.

Guile strapped Jesse in to the front seat, and the boy quickly declared "I'm all set!"

He had to wait a minute to allow his dad to climb into the back seat and also strap in. The truck started to move forward and Guile asked Jesse to push the small black button on the control panel to say goodbye to his mother, Dawn Rauscher, who waved to the truck. The horn blasted.

"I love that sound!" Jesse said.

The truck's lights flashed and the horn blasted again as the truck pulled up to the Thomas Mahan School front entrance. Jesse got another surprise there, as his 10-year-old sister Rebecca and her fifth grade class stood on the sidewalk to greet the firetruck. Rebecca ran forward and gave her brother a big hug.

Principal Rose Herrick said she wanted a class to greet the firetruck, and it worked out perfectly that Rebecca's fifth grade class was free at the right time.

With a final high-five for Guile, Jesse headed off to school for the first day.

c.bessette@theday.com