Students learn about Veterans Day at school
Dalton Etzel looks up at the skylight every day inside the corridor of Butler Intermediate High School.
“Know what's up there — heaven,” said Dalton, 12.
The thought reminds him of the uncle he lost in the military as Veterans Day approaches.
“Veterans Day is how we remember veterans and their families,” he said about the holiday's meaning.
School districts in Butler County offer students Veterans Day programs ahead and on the day of the annual remembrance.
At Butler Intermediate High School, Dalton was one of about 550 seventh- graders who heard a presentation about U.S. flag folding from American Legion Post 117, American Legion Post 778 and Veterans of Foreign War Post 249.
The lesson was one in the annual Veterans Day presentation, said Breit Cochran, American history teacher and Veterans Day event coordinator.
A retired guard from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier gave a presentation to eighth-graders, which helps to prepare them for their upcoming field trip to Washington, D.C., Cochran said.Sgt. Kenneth Howard, the Junior ROTC instructor, talked to the ninth- graders about his experiences in the military.The three presentations give the students insight and an appreciation for Veterans Day and why it is celebrated, he said.For the past five years, the school has consistently had a program for its students, Cochran said.Social studies lessons mention Veterans Day and its history, he said. During instruction, Cochran lets students share their perspectives.Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor people who have served or are serving in the military and recognize their sacrifice, he said.
Ninth-grader Ryan Mclister never would have thought the teacher he sees on campus accomplished and experienced what he did in the military.Ryan said his grandfather served in the Vietnam War,“It's a time to acknowledge there are a lot of people serving risking their lives every day to keep this country safe,” said Ryan, 15, about Veterans Day.In the Seneca Valley School District, the 765 students at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary have played a role to recognize and thank veterans and active-duty soldiers in observance of the holiday, said DeeAnn Graham, who has been a principal for 13 years and in the school district for 24 years.A Veterans Appreciation Program is planned for Tuesday, when more than 100 veterans who were invited by the students and their families will be greeted by kindergarten students as they enter the cafeteria.Also on the agenda is a presentation of the colors by the Seneca Valley JROTC cadets. Third-graders wrote poems and will sing songs, and the Harmony Fire District will bring a fire truck and raise the flag.Artwork by children from the entire campus decorates the building from the welcome area to the cafeteria. Flags have been placed along the drive into the school.
A community effort between teachers and students made the event possible, she said.“We want to include all students when we do activities like this,” Graham said.This is the first year the school has had an event of this scale, she said. Last year, the weather caused cancellations for its event.“I'm hoping those in attendance and guests of the families will leave feeling recognized and honored,” Graham said. “I'm hoping students have a sense of empathy and compassion for what our veterans have given to us.”The school's youngest learners are taught about community helpers in kindergarten, Graham said, which is a natural connection to servicemen and servicewomen.“It's very important to recognize our veterans,” she said. “We are all touched by the work and dedication of our active-duty and our veterans. It's very important as a community we show that.”
