In honor of the 20th anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington, D. C., our school dressed in red, white, and blue yesterday. We also observed two moments of silence and prayed for our nation. Our Lower School classes also honored Patriot's Day by completing service projects.
Our Kindergarten Class worked hard picking up trash around campus, helping to beautify our school and the neighborhood.
First-graders began the day discussing what it means to be a patriot and why Patriot's Day is important to Americans. Lauren Worrell, first-grade teacher described their project this way:
As a way to remember the fallen individuals of 9/11 and the brave men and women who courageously stepped up to protect and serve our country, we came up with our own service project to show our own love and service for staff members of Salem Baptist Christian School. Before beginning the project, we talked about how God loves us and how we can show love toward others, just like Americans did on 9/11.
Each first-grade student colored and cut out two American flags for a total of 48 flags to pass out to staff members. When we colored the stripes on the flag, we were able to tie in math and review patterns! Along with the flags, we also had little bags of mints to pass out thanking staff for their commit"mint" to love and serve students here at Salem. While we were unable to visit all the staff members, we tried our best in the time we had to get to as many people as we could.
From a teacher's standpoint, to see the pure joy on the faces of all the sweet first graders as they made and passed out their flags was truly the highlight of the day! Watching God work in the hearts of our students and seeing them have compassion toward others, is exactly what happened 20 years ago on September 11, 2001, in the hearts of Americans everywhere! Colossians 3:17 says, "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." We are thankful for our first graders and their act of service on this special day!"
The second grade created a care package for a police station near the school. Students contributed snacks and drinks and decorated the package with their artwork. Also included were 27 letters thanking officers for their dedication, service, and sacrifice.
Third-graders also created thank-you letters for police officers. This bundle included a special message for one of our third-grade parents! Additionally, they expressed their appreciation by sending a gift and card to the local Red Cross.
The 4th-Grade Class painted, decorated, and filled care packages that included thank-you notes! They were delivered to firefighters who serve at Winston-Salem Fire Station #10.
Kathryn Shoaf, the fifth-grade social studies teacher said this about their project:
In honor of the first responders who sacrificed their lives on September 11, 2001, the fifth-grade classes assembled a gift basket with handwritten cards for a local EMT squad. The students were eager to learn more about the events that transpired two decades ago, and their families generously provided snacks and drinks as a blessing for those who serve us. The cards that the students made were creative and heartfelt. We are grateful to those who continue to selflessly serve our city and neighborhoods every day.
Thank you, Lower School teachers, for teaching our students the importance of ministering to others!
To all who serve and protect our communities each day, we thank you! You are appreciated and prayed for.