T
he Bethel Park School District
made an intentional effort to
honor Veterans this year on
Veteran’s Day. It was up to the schools
to determine how they were going
to teach the students about the
sacrifices Veterans have made to keep
our country safe, strong and free.
Here are some examples of the many
ways the District remembered the
sacrifices of its Veterans.
For the sixth year, IMS Student
Council students and the students who
participate in the Bring A Smile To The
Service Group welcomed area Veterans
to their school for a special Pancakes and
Sausage Breakfast on Veterans Day.
Over 125 veterans RSPVd to attend
this special event that is coordinated
by the students. They began working
on decorations last May and turned the
IMS Library Commons into a red, white
and blue spectacular to welcome the
Veterans.
The Veterans were treated to a variety
of cookies, pastries and beverages
before a brief program, presented by the
students, which featured the Pledge of
Allegiance, a video flag raising ceremony,
poems, songs and the National Anthem.
Then the Veterans were treated to
pancakes and sausage, prepared and
served by the students. Eighth grader
Abigail Winterhalter participated in this
breakfast the past two years and she
said that she looks forward to the event
because “We want them to have a good
time” and “It’s great to hear their stories.”
Following the breakfast, all IMS
students participated in a “Boot Camp”
activity, which exposed them to different
branches of the military, including the
National Guard, the Air National Guard,
the Young Marines and the Sea Cadets.
Students got to see a military Humvee
and tent from the National Guard. They
also met a Therapy Dog who spends time
every Saturday at the VA Hospital and
heard some “war stories” from a veteran.
Neil Armstrong Middle School students
kept their celebration close to home as
they made a Veteran’s Day thank you
poster for Building Custodian Brian
Rauch, thanking him for his service and
sharing their thoughts about how much
they think of him.
Franklin students worked hard to thank
the Veterans in their families this Veterans
Day. The students invited the Veterans
in their families to attend a special
presentation that was held in the gym.
First, the students unfurled a special
“Thank You For Being Our Heroes” banner.
Then they sang a special song, “Brave,”
taught by Music Teacher Mrs. Katie
Johnson. After the song, each Veteran
was presented with a heart-shaped thank
you note created by the students that
included a special message of thanks.
Franklin Art Teacher Mrs. Kristen Johnson
delivered additional heart notes to the
VA Hospital, to let the Veterans there
know that they are appreciated and not
forgotten.
Memorial students celebrated Veterans
Day by collecting supplies for the VA
Hospital in Oakland.
Some of the supplies included warm
socks, toiletries and hard candy. In Art
Class, students made American Flag
hearts and wrote letters to the Veterans
on the back of the hearts to thank them
for their service and wish them well.
Washington students pulled out all the
stops to welcome area Veterans to their
school. The morning began with a social
gathering with refreshments for the
Veterans with the Washington staff.
Then the students reported to
the Cafeteria, where they had the
opportunity to meet the Veterans before
they recited the Pledge of Allegiance
and sang some patriotic songs. Veteran
Sam Manganello, father of Second Grade
Teacher Ms. Manganello, brought his
bugle and played a few songs for the
students.
Every classroom was assigned a
Veteran, who read the story, Have You
Filled A Bucket Today, and talked to the
students about the importance of service,
sacrifice and helping others.
Thank you, Veterans, for your service
and sacrifice, to keep us free and safe.
Franklin students unfurled a banner saying,
“Thank you for being our heroes” at a Veteran’s
Day assembly.
Neil Armstrong Middle School Custodian and
Veteran Brian Rauch stands with the poster the
students made, to let him know how much they
appreciate his sacrifices.
Washington Second Graders in Ms. Manganello’s
class had the opportunity to meet Veteran Sam
Manganello, Ms. Manganello’s father.
Independence Middle School students were
honored to serve local Veterans pancakes and
sausage on Veteran’s Day as a way to thank
them for their service.
Memorial students join Principal Mr. Chalus
(back left) and Fourth Grade Teacher Mr. Foster
(back right) with some of the heart-shaped
messages they wrote to area Veterans.
52
BETHEL PARK