Trumbull Schools Mark 9/11

From a moment of silence to poems and patriotic songs, Trumbull Public Schools commemorated the 10th anniversary of 9/11 on Sept. 9.

“Every school began the day with a moment of silence,” said Gary A. Cialfi, Assistant Schools superintendent.

From there, each school was marking the day in their own ways. “This is a teachable event and we want it to be age appropriate. Ten years after, it’s important to keep it proportional and in perspective for the students.”

principal JacquelineJ. Norcel’s message to her students focused on everyday people who did extraordinary things that day. She also asked students to  remember those that lost their lives. Norcel will read a passage from Project Wisdom, an education resource that helps students make wise choices, that supports her message. 

“I want the students to know that’s it okay to feel sad or angry and while there are bad people in the world, most people are good, said Norcel. “They just need to look at all the people, firemen, police, regular people and even children that tried to help that day.”

She has allowed her staff to decide how to proceed after that with their classes. Bearing in mind that most of the students were either infants or not born 10 years ago. Norcel has provided works sheets for the older grades that are jumping off points for discussion or that emphasize heroes, which is already a recurring theme in the school.

students heard their principal Mary Ellen Bolton, read a Peace Talk Poem (see attached poem). “This is a collaborative poem written by the students,” said Bolton. “Each class contributed two sentences talking about peace.”

The rest of the day’s instruction included stories about peace, with some discussion about 9/11. “It was all be done in child friendly way,” she said.

used this as a time of remembrance and a day of service. 

“Many of our service clubs like CARES and the National Junior Honor Society kick ed off a fundraising effort for a local veterans association,” said Valerie Forshaw, Madison Middle School principal. “In our social studies classes there will be discussions, videos and reading assignments on the impact this event has had on the United States, what we have learned and where are we now.”

The discussion of contemporary issues is already embedded in the social studies curriculum so this issue, as well as others,will be revisited throughout the year according to Forshaw.

“For our students, this is a historical event,” said Forshaw. “It’s not real time as it for older people.”

will also utilize their social studies classes to mark the day. “Each grade level will be discussing how the world has changed since 9/11” said Principal Stafford W. Thomas Jr., "as well as its impact on each of us."

Thomas would like the students to remember and honor those who lost their lives, by trying to personally live the positive examples that many set that day.

“We want to tie that message into our character education program which promotes respect, kindness, courage and service,” he added.

had many different activities scheduled throughout the day, particularly in their social studies and world language classes.

“Many of our students have some memory of that day ten years ago,” said Katherine Rubano, Trumbull High School Social Studies Chair.“The conversations were phenomenal in the classrooms, everything from things their parents told them to where they were when it happened.”

Students also discussed the social and economic changes, civil rights and security issues in America. Many students from other countries at Trumbull High School offered their insights into what it was like living either here or in their homeland, now, as well as 10 years ago.

Rubano had her students write a letter to their future children and grandchildren about 9/11 and what they want them to learn from it. “History is about people’s lives,” said Rubano. “This happened in their lifetime and their children and grandchildren will look to them as a primary source for this event."

In psychology classes, students discussed Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome especially as it affected first responders and world language classes compared Pompeii after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius to the collapse of the Twin Towers.

Rubano ended all her classes by playing Freedom by Paul McCartney. 

“If I can get anything good to come out of this, I want students to learn to speak out when they see an injustice,” Rubano said.