Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Nov/Dec 2015 | Page 13

Benton Heights kindergarteners honor 9-11 victims

Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts kindergarten
students got a unique perspective on commemorating the victims of
the 9-11 terrorist attack on America today by planting three butterfly
bushes in their honor.

Benton Heights kindergartners are pictured planting a
butterfly bush in commemoration of 9-11.

The commemoration ceremony was organized by Benton Heights
kindergarten teachers Beverly Garcia, Brittany Ackerman, Dawn
McCourt, Jonica Wortha, Kristen Weaver and Megan McCarver.
Benton Height 9-11 ceremony “These children didn’t experience
it but it’s history, and it’s important to explain the history of it on a
level they can understand,” Garcia said. “The focus that we’ve taken
as a team is teach them respect for our country and respect for
others. That’s why we keep focusing on that - it’s a day of caring and
what can you do to help others and to acknowledge what’s happened
to them.”
The teachers decided to have something that the students could
actually do themselves that would celebrate 9-11, so they decided to
plant a tree.
“Real trees grow so slowly, however, and it would take longer
to see growth,” McCourt said. “And for kindergarten students, we
wanted to see the growth happen more quickly.”
The solution – plant butterfly bushes as they have vibrant blooms
that attract butterflies and they grow quickly.
Alexander Sanchez Garcia, 5, a kindergarten student in Brittany
Ackerman’s class, said he really enjoyed the activity. “It’s about
caring and caring is good for everybody. It’s fun when you dig with
the shovel and get dirt on it.”
Joaly Solis, 5, a kindergarten student in Garcia’s class, seem to
have a clear grasp of what the day was all about.
“It’s because a plane hit two buildings because someone was
being mean,” Joaly said. “They wanted to divide our country, but we
stayed together. Now we have good days. So we are remembering
today.”
Garcia said the lesson she hopes to teach her students is to keep
hope for the future. “The moral is that even after bad things happen,
tomorrow brings a wonderful new day,” she said.
--This article was written by Deb Coates Bledsoe and provided
courtesy of the Communications Office of the Union County Public
Schools.

Parent Teacher Magazine • Nov/Dec 2015 • 11