PIMS seventh-graders to thank
local veterans at Nov. 10 event
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
PRESQUE ISLE – For the fourth consecutive year, seventh-grade teachers at Presque Isle Middle School will host an honorary Veterans Day presentation Nov. 10 for students and local veterans alike.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
ALLISON REED, social worker at Presque Isle Middle School, and her husband, Officer Kevin Reed of the Presque Isle Police Department, showed students the proper way to fold the American flag during the inaugural Veterans Day ceremony held at the school in 2007. This year’s presentation will be held from noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 where Allison Reed will once again show seventh-graders how to correctly fold the flag. All local veterans are invited to attend the honorary Veterans Day presentation.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
SEVENTH-GRADE TEACHERS at Presque Isle Middle School will honor local veterans next Wednesday, Nov. 10 at a special presentation for students and veterans alike in the school’s auditorium. The event will include patriotic songs, a video presentation, and comments from veterans who wish to participate. Shown in this photo from 2007 is teacher Marianne Dyer reading “America’s White Table.” Dyer will once again read the book by Margot Theis Raven. Local veterans are invited to attend the noon-1:30 p.m. presentation.
The event will be held from noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the school’s auditorium.
The PIMS band – under the direction of Pat Bragdon – will perform patriotic songs, while Allison Reed, social worker at the school, will show students the proper way to fold the American flag. Social studies/English teacher Marianne Dyer will then read “America’s White Table” by Margot Theis Raven. Jay Blackstone, social studies/English teacher, will complement the reading with a visual presentation of the book on a big screen for the students to enjoy. Kevin Sipe, social studies/English teacher, will then provide an opportunity for veterans to speak to the students if they so choose.
Following the formal presentation, students will return to their homerooms and work on poetry and participate in discussions. The veterans are encouraged to visit the classrooms, as well.
“Some students will use art or writing to respond to the experience,” said Dyer, “and the veterans are invited to come to the different classrooms – especially if they have a child who is a relative – but all veterans are welcome to come into the classrooms and spend some time with the kids. It’s an open invitation.”
In the past, between 10-20 veterans have participated each year.
“We want all the veterans to feel invited and to come … not just those who have a grandchild or great-grandchild at the school,” said Dyer. “We want all veterans who would like to attend to come and we would like to be able to have the opportunity to let them know how much we appreciate and respect what they’ve done for us.
“This event is definitely for the veterans, but by encouraging students to honor the veterans, it instills a sense of patriotism, appreciation and respect for the veterans,” she said. “It helps students become appreciative of what veterans have done and when they become appreciative, we let the veterans know how much we think of them and I think that’s for their benefit. It’s a win-win for both the students and the veterans.”
Dyer said the Veterans Day program has become an annual event because the faculty and students have realized how important it is to thank the men and women who have defended our rights and freedoms.
“We believe that thanking the veterans is something that we must do and encourage our students to do,” she said. “This provides an opportunity for the students to feel, know and to continue throughout their lives to show appreciation for the people who make it possible for us to have the quality of life we have. I think that’s very important to instill in young people.”
