School Plans 9/11 Activities
Students will mark the anniversary with a pledge against hate, interviews with staff.
The day the planes crashed into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, they were just babies — far too young to understand the impact the events had on the country and the world at large.
Now, as the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, faculty at one Romeoville middle school are planning a day of events aimed at teaching kids about one of the most tragic days in American history.
“The eighth-graders were only 3 [on 9/11],” A. Vito Martinez social studies teacher Kristy Caywood noted, with their sixth- and seventh-grade counterparts were even younger.
On Friday, students will interview staff members about their recollections from Sept. 11, 2001, as a way of learning more about the events and their importance.
“Hopefully, that sharing of stories will give them a better perspective,” Caywood said.
Students will also sign a pledge aimed at stamping out what many believe was the root cause of the terrorist attacks: hatred.
“So we’re signing a pledge to say, ‘I pledge to stop hate,’” Caywood said.
The signed pledges will hang in the hallways as a reminder to students about the importance of speaking out against hate and intolerance.
The pledge reads as follows:
- I pledge from this day onward to do my best to interrupt prejudice and to stop those who, because of hate, would hurt, harass, or violate the civil rights of anyone.
- I will try at all times to be aware of my own biases against people who are different from myself.
- I will ask questions about cultures, religions and races that I don't understand.
- I will speak out against anyone who mocks, seeks to intimidate, or actually hurts someone of a different race, religion, ethnic group or sexual orientation.
- I will reach out to support those who are targets of harassment.
- I will think about specific ways my school, other students and my community can promote respect for people and create a prejudice-free zone.
- I firmly believe that one person can make a difference and that no person can be an "innocent bystander" when it comes to opposing hate.
Annie H.
10:53 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
As someone who just visited Ground Zero, and visits it every year, I'm proud of our local schools for doing something like this. One thing I've learned in my life, I can't change anyone else, I can only change myself. And, it seems like that is what this pledge is about. As we change ourselves, hopefully others see what we are modeling and they will follow our example. I, for one, think that working toward anti-hate, anti-bullying, peace, love and happiness should be a DAILY occurrence.
P.S. Being angry solves nothing. As you hear stories of those who lost loved ones on 9/11 - in the World Trade Center, Pentagon, Pennsylvania, etc., you will rarely hear anger expressed. For them, it's about rebuilding a stronger, more connected and committed community. I hope we can all be about this on 9/11 and every day. That's part of what makes this country great.
Roseann
12:29 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Chris-you're so right. There's absolutely no chance that our little town would ever see or even notice an Islamic Jihadists-nope, not EVER. That's why not too long ago, not so many miles away from our own backyard, that this happened.... http://tinyurl.com/3hqj325. That's why Chicago was never a target on 9/11 either. Forget about the local oil refinery and nuke plants that surround us, as if those would ever be targets of an attack. I suppose if they advertised that they were Islamic Jihadists terrorists, you and the rest of us may just notice them, but they normally don't do that until they're in the midst of an attack or attempted attack. Look, I love my enemy just as much as the next person, but I sure hate the things they do. These religious extremists are indeed different, they hate you, your kids, your money, your house-that hate everything about you and they will not stop until we are wiped off the face of this earth. I promise you that.
P.S.- I'd expect that all students be taught THE TRUTH.
Chris Jolley
12:56 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Teach them truth, but there is never a good reason to teach hate over tolerance, even out of your sarcasm laced fear.
We as a nation will get through this, and if we teach our kids to fear and suspect other US citizens with brown skin and funny beards, after it's done and over we will have a whole new set of problems to deal with.
I commend the school for embracing this as an opportunity to teach American values while instilling a sense of respect for the tragedies. These kids are at MOST in 5th grade, confusing and scaring them while inoculating them with a distrust for people different from them is counterproductive.