Students spread gratitude this Veterans Day

Students and staff celebrated Veterans Day throughout the Levittown Public Schools on Nov. 10. Classes found creative ways to recognize and appreciate all those who have served in the military for our freedom. 

At East Broadway Elementary School, third graders in Nicole Nulty’s class drew pictures of a folded American flag and sang patriotic songs. East Broadway fifth graders in Katie Winkelman’s class talked about what it means to be a veteran and students shared stories about the veterans in their lives. Each student also received a card with information about Veterans Day, shared the information as a class and wrote the information on a worksheet. They then created acrostic poems about veterans. 

Kindergarten students at Gardiners Avenue School in Mary Jo Bergersen’s class shared information about hometown heroes, veterans from the community and family members who are veterans. Each student also created a poppy wreath to display in their window at home, decorated an American Flag as they practiced the Pledge of Allegiance and created a Wall of Gratitude. Throughout the day, the kindergartners discussed bravery, gratitude, patriotism and respect, and gained a true understanding of how veterans and their families made sacrifices for our freedom. 

Lee Road third graders in Jennifer Lores’ class also shared stories about the veterans in their lives and discussed the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The class read an article about why Veterans Day is celebrated each year on Nov. 11 and created thank you cards for veterans that they personally know. Second graders at Summit Lane Elementary School in Lori McGill’s class also showed their gratitude through letters. They wrote to a Navy veteran and asked questions about his time in the military. Afterwards, the letters were collected into a book to give to the veteran. Summit Lane also has two Walls of Honor on display. One wall honors first responders and the other honors veterans. The Wall of Honor includes photos of parents, siblings, grandparents and more, all of whom have served in the military. 

Sixth grade students in Caroline Kind’s English language arts class wanted to honor veterans this year in a creative way. Through class discussion, Mrs. Kind learned that many students in the class had veterans in their families. The class brainstormed ways that they could deliver their gratitude safely and decided to create a video using Google Slides. The video featured student-made slides with words of thanks for the veterans and also included the names of veterans in the students’ lives.  

“This year, students and staff face many challenges, but it is so important to make this year the most memorable year ever exposing all of the positive aspects in our lives,” said Mrs. Kind. “I’m hoping this project helped to make this year just a little more special.” 

Through all these important class lessons and activities, Levittown students developed a better understanding of the meaning of Veterans Day and the sacrifices that veterans made to protect our freedom. 

 

Photo captions:

 

1) East Broadway third grader Christopher Cohen with his folded American flag drawing. 

2) East Broadway fifth graders showed off their acrostic poems about veterans. 

3) Gardiners Avenue kindergartner Sofia Mendez created her poppy wreath. 

4) Gardiners Avenue kindergartner Jameson Esposito shared information about his military father with his class for Veterans Day. 

 

Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools