Sept. 11 spurs reflection on heroism in North Bellmore

Heroes are often ordinary people who do something extraordinary, a lesson learned by students at Martin Avenue Elementary School to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 

The North Bellmore School District marked the day by observing Patriot Day and the National Day of Service. Throughout all five schools, students and staff were encouraged to wear red, white and blue. At Martin Avenue, it was hard to find anyone missing one of those colors from their attire.

Third graders in Danielle Kalinowski’s and Judie Wakie’s classes came together for a service project. It began with a read aloud of “Fireboat,” the story of a boat that was brought back into commission on Sept. 11 to help pump water to the devasted World Trade Center site. Following a discussion about heroes in their lives and community, each student then penned a letter to a local hero. 

Each youngster had the choice of writing to a personal hero in his or her life, or writing to a community hero like a firefighter, police officer, doctor, nurse, lifeguard or someone else who keeps people safe. Ms. Kalinoswki and Ms. Wakie collected the letters to local heroes to deliver.

In Ashley Vella’s fifth grade class, students read “Man in Red Bandana,” a book based on a documentary about Welles Crowther, who sacrificed his own life to help save others from the Twin Towers. Students learned about everyday people who think of others before themselves, then completed activity sheets, “What is a hero to you?” Working in small groups, students discussed the attributes and traits of heroes.   

 

Photo captions:

1: Martin Avenue Elementary School third graders were joined by, from left, teacher Danielle Kalinowski, Superintendent Marie Testa, teacher Judie Wakie and Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci after completing their letters to local heroes on Sept. 11.

2: Fifth graders, from left, William Chen, Jack Ozechowski, Axel Abbazio and Natalie LaBorne completed had a discussion on the traits that heroes possess. 

3: Third graders, from left, Jonathan Kraft, Avery Thomas, Juliana Tatem and Aiden Teng were hard at work to write a respectful and thoughtful message to their local heroes. 

4: Alexander LiCausi and Jackson Banke talked about the heroes they selected. 

 

Photos courtesy of the North Bellmore School District