Elwood Students Honors Heroes

On Monday, Sept. 12, 2016 the Elwood Union Free School District’s kindergarten through second-grade students at Harley Avenue Primary School celebrated and honored heroes at an assembly to commemorate the 15 year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.

Students dressed patriotically and local first responders were invited to the school. Local Fire Lieutenant Chris Haack, Ambulance Chief Mike Hoddinott, EMT Donna McPartland, Police Sergeant Jerry Romaine and Officer Mike Caponi took the stage while Principal Elissa Toubin introduced them. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert joined in the celebration with Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Maureen Hull. The schools mascot, The Harley Knight, made an appearance as well.

“Today we want to celebrate and honor our heroes,” said Ms. Toubin. “The acronym for HERO and our mantra for the month of September is Help Everyone Respect Others.”

Ms. Toubin invited a group of students to the stage to help with the Pledge of Allegiance. Students held a moment of silence and Ms. Toubin read the book “September 12: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right,” written by Masterson Elementary Students in Missouri. During the assembly, students turned to the child next to them and talk about a hero in their life.

Harley Avenue Primary School students follow the saying, “We are safe, polite, helpful, kind, respectful and responsible.” To show their appreciation, students presented the local first responders with “Lifesaver” candies.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: Harley Avenue Primary School students led their peers in the Pledge of Allegiance at the school’s hero assembly on Sept. 12, 2016.

Photo 2: Students were dressed in their best red, white and blue style at Harley Avenue Primary School’s hero assembly on Sept. 12, 2016.

Photo 3: Elwood students recited the Pledge of Allegiance together at Harley Avenue Primary School’s hero assembly on Sept. 12, 2016.

Photo 4: First-grade students came together to honor their heroes at Harley Avenue Primary School.

Photo 5: Principal Elissa Toubin invited five local first responders to Harley Avenue Primary School’s hero assembly to honor them for their service.

Photos courtesy of the Elwood Union Free School District