Patriot Day falls on September 11th and is also commonly known as “Nine-Eleven”. On this day we remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001.
Many brave men and women from the emergency services risked their lives to try to help rescue victims of the attacks, and many lost their own lives attempting to fight fires and rescue people.

Each year on this day, American flags are flown at half-staff to honor and commemorate those lives lost. The President asks fellow Americans to observe a moment of silence at 8.46 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), which is the time of the first plane collision into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Fireboat:  The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maria Kalman is a wonderful picture book that is just right for gently explaining September 11 to young kids. It is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book that simply explains what happened in New York City on September 11, 2001 through the context of a fireboat that was called out of retirement to help ferry New Yorkers out of the city and ended up spending four days fighting the fires at the Twin Towers.

The “jist” of this story is that anyone can be useful when help is needed.  The spirit of New York City and the many thousands of people who jumped into action to help those in need is celebrated in this unique story.

 
At William O. Schaefer we will have a  9/11 Remembrance at 9:30 on the front lawn. At this time we will say the Pledge of Allegiance and have a moment of silence. The teachers will read Fireboat:  The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maria Kalman to students. 

All staff and students should wear Red, White and Blue. Thank you.