BlogsStudent LifeServicePre-K to 8
ELA-5: Heroes All Around Us
Nov 18, 2013 8:08 PM
By Beth Smith '87 - Faculty
This fall, grades ELA-5 hosted a Heroes Assembly to honor local firefighters, police officers, EMS workers and veterans. We brainstormed in each of our classes about what makes a hero and why some people are heroes to us. The answers were wonderful! The children commented that a hero puts himself last, he protects us, she works hard for us and comforts us. The lists went on and on! Then, each child made a Hero and wrote a story about what makes a hero or wrote a letter thanking a hero for what he/she does everyday.
What a treat it was to host the heroes! We displayed all of the heroes and stories and a few of our students read their stories during the assembly. Students in ELA-2 sang "Thank You" to the heroes, and then the local heroes introduced themselves and shared what area in which they worked. They all said how honored they felt that someone was taking the time to recognize their efforts and commitment to their jobs. It felt so great to see our heroes beam with pride!
We then decided to send our heroes and stories to servicemen overseas, as well as to the local police departments, fire departments and Redmond and Floyd ER. What a surprise we got when we started receiving emails and pictures from different heroes!
Here are a few excerpts from our heroes and a parent who delivered some of the items to local heroes!
My sister wanted me to pass along her and her husband's thanks for the Heroes Day letters. They absolutely loved them and she even sent me a picture of them hanging up in their kitchen! They were a perfect welcome home present for my brother-in-law! Thanks again. - Madison
Thank you so much for the wonderful gift full of stories and figures! They arrived in the mail a few days ago. My name is Hank Thomsen and I work in the Army in Afghanistan. I work in an engineer section that helps construct bases and make sure all other Soldiers live in safe and secure places. In the operations center where I work, we have Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Civilians and troops of other nations (Poland, Romania, and Canada). It's a very interesting place to work. I also get to take a lot of trips on helicopters over cities and through mountain passes to visit American bases throughout Afghanistan. We have put your pictures and stories up around the operations center; they really help cheer up the place. Thanks again in including us in your Hero Day!! - Your Friend, Hank
Lillian, Madeline and I delivered the packet to the fire station this evening. It was a great experience! The guys seemed genuinely happy that we came by and gave us a great tour of the station. We saw their living quarters, watched one go down the pole, went inside a fire truck, and saw the lights and all the equipment. It was a great education! Thanks for doing that and for letting us make the delivery! - Dr. Heather Earnest, Darlington Parent
Thank you for sending the wonderful gifts from your students; opening that package was a real WEEK-Maker! Some of the children did not sign or leave a name, and I wanted to write them back individually. I spoke to Barbara Barfield and she thought it OK to ask for first names. Can you send me a list? Once received I will respond in kind via USPS to the school. Thanks again for making me smile! - Marc Jasek
Wow! We thought our thanks had been over on the day of our assembly -- we were wrong! I am so proud to be a part of a community that not only talks about heroes and other important things, but acts on them and makes lifelong impacts on the children by whom we are surrounded. Well done!
What a treat it was to host the heroes! We displayed all of the heroes and stories and a few of our students read their stories during the assembly. Students in ELA-2 sang "Thank You" to the heroes, and then the local heroes introduced themselves and shared what area in which they worked. They all said how honored they felt that someone was taking the time to recognize their efforts and commitment to their jobs. It felt so great to see our heroes beam with pride!
We then decided to send our heroes and stories to servicemen overseas, as well as to the local police departments, fire departments and Redmond and Floyd ER. What a surprise we got when we started receiving emails and pictures from different heroes!
Here are a few excerpts from our heroes and a parent who delivered some of the items to local heroes!
My sister wanted me to pass along her and her husband's thanks for the Heroes Day letters. They absolutely loved them and she even sent me a picture of them hanging up in their kitchen! They were a perfect welcome home present for my brother-in-law! Thanks again. - Madison
Thank you so much for the wonderful gift full of stories and figures! They arrived in the mail a few days ago. My name is Hank Thomsen and I work in the Army in Afghanistan. I work in an engineer section that helps construct bases and make sure all other Soldiers live in safe and secure places. In the operations center where I work, we have Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Civilians and troops of other nations (Poland, Romania, and Canada). It's a very interesting place to work. I also get to take a lot of trips on helicopters over cities and through mountain passes to visit American bases throughout Afghanistan. We have put your pictures and stories up around the operations center; they really help cheer up the place. Thanks again in including us in your Hero Day!! - Your Friend, Hank
Lillian, Madeline and I delivered the packet to the fire station this evening. It was a great experience! The guys seemed genuinely happy that we came by and gave us a great tour of the station. We saw their living quarters, watched one go down the pole, went inside a fire truck, and saw the lights and all the equipment. It was a great education! Thanks for doing that and for letting us make the delivery! - Dr. Heather Earnest, Darlington Parent
Thank you for sending the wonderful gifts from your students; opening that package was a real WEEK-Maker! Some of the children did not sign or leave a name, and I wanted to write them back individually. I spoke to Barbara Barfield and she thought it OK to ask for first names. Can you send me a list? Once received I will respond in kind via USPS to the school. Thanks again for making me smile! - Marc Jasek
Wow! We thought our thanks had been over on the day of our assembly -- we were wrong! I am so proud to be a part of a community that not only talks about heroes and other important things, but acts on them and makes lifelong impacts on the children by whom we are surrounded. Well done!
