East Lyme Public Schools chooses to hold classes on Veteran's Day in an effort to educate our students on the importance of our Veteran's commitment and sacrifice to their country. At East Lyme High School, teachers and staff take this task very seriously. This year they went above and beyond to honor our local veterans!
Displays
To begin with, family and friends honored their favorite veterans by displaying their names on the front window of the Frances Hart Ewers Library. Members of the National Honor Society helped to decorate the window. Library Staff, Christine Maxfield, Christine Greeley and Jan Dargel also assisted in setting up Veteran related displays in the library, which included the front window, a display of items that could be donated to veterans in a glass case and veteran related books..
In addition, red, white and blue stars were displayed at the main entrance with words of encouragement written on them. These stars were sold by the National Honor Society and their goal was to build a flag filled with inspiration. The National Honor Society also sponsored Jeans day, where teachers donate $5 to a cause for the opportunity to wear jeans to school. Between the two fundraisers, they raised over $545.00 for the Vet House managed by the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.
Curricular Connections
The Big Idea - Why do we celebrate Veteran's and why are Veteran's so important to our country?
In Rachel Michaud's Drawing 1 class, students learned about Maya Lin, a young Yale Architecture student, whose proposed design of a Vietnam Veteran Memorial was accepted over many prestigious architecture firms from around the world as the design for the national memorial in Washington D.C. Students were asked to design their own Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which were displayed in the lobby of the gymnasium for all to view as they entered into our assembly.
In Kelly Burton-Jones' World Language classroom, there was a bulletin board decorated to honor veterans in Spanish. Gracias a los veteranos! Pictures of former students who are serving in the Air Force and family members of Mrs. Burton-Jones were posted.
Kim Thompson's Health class talked about the history of rations; how they have changed over the years and what that meant for the soldiers because of the weight they had to carry and how nutritious and appetizing they were since it was all they had to eat.
Amy Fabry's Freshmen Academy class discussed substance abuse and suicide and how it applies to the veterans. Students viewed personal video accounts from veterans who have suffered from PTSD, substance abuse and suicide to get a more meaningful perspective. The class also discussed what organizations are doing to try and help our veterans transition back into society after experiencing the atrocities of war.
Abby Catsam gave her English students a chance to share with their class a reflection about veterans in their own family.
The Assembly
The entire high school population gathered in the gymnasium to honor our special guests: veterans (that included family members of staff and students) and honored guests from the Vet House in New London. Staff and students were encouraged to wear red, white and blue, which added a special effect to the audience view. The Music Department lead by Anthony Maiese, Sue Johnston and Karin Carlson provided excellent music from members of our band, marching band, symphony orchestra and choral groups. The marching band's color guard presented the colors (flag) and escorted the veterans in and out of the gymnasium. English teacher Scott Mahon sang a touching solo of Superman by Five for Fighting. I stood near student Quentin Hazen who commented after Mr. Mahon's performance, "that was really deep".
There was a core committee who organized the assembly lead by Social Studies teacher Henry Kydd. The program honored each branch of the military by having students introduce a guest from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, who then recited their service creed. Throughout the program the audience was entertained with selections from the high school band, orchestra and chorus. Our symphony orchestra had a special treat when they were lead by Lew Buckley, retired director of the U.S. Coast Guard Band. Mr. Buckley also spoke to the students about the importance of honoring veterans everyday and when they become old enough to vote, to keep two things in mind: do not send our troops into battle unless it is absolutely necessary and take care of our veterans when they return. After the assembly, our honored guests were treated to a luncheon prepared by the Culinary students.
The assembly was an amazing event with students listening respectfully to all pieces of the program and the appreciation for our veterans sacrifice and commitment was resounding. I left this assembly thinking this is one the best things we do for our school and our community and I was so happy that I attended school that day.
I was very impressed with the diversity of activities throughout the school with one goal in mind, to make our veterans feel special and honored.
Mr. Kydd sent an email the following day giving thanks all those that participated in planning the assembly:
Scott Mahon, Lori Singer, Shannon Saglio, Matthew LaConti, Joanna Hildebrand, Anthony Maiese, Karin Carlson, Susan Johnston, Grant Place, Mike Hewitt, Frank Burdick, Eloise Gada, Jeff Handler, Rachel Redding, Christine Greeley, Kathleen Sasso, Christine Maxfield, Colleen Foster, Rachel Michaud, Victoria Chong, Alexa Wise, Megan McKeith, Arianna Tsikitas, Dennis Carambot, Piper Baine, Ella Czuba (Taps- inside), Jared Subiano (Taps - outside), Marching Band, Band, Woman's Chorale, Choir, Orchesta, ELHS Symphony Orchestra, Anna Yuhas (Color Guard), Emily Halleck (Color Guard), Jordan Osterloh (Color Guard), Art and Tech Students, Culinary Students, and the National Honor Society.
This week, members of the National Honor Society visited the New London Hospitality Center to drop off food, clothing, toiletries and the monetary donation collected. The Vet House staff was so grateful and wished to thank all that contributed.
