A Veterans Day Celebration with Shaull Elementary School
For some children, Veterans Day is just another holiday to hang out flags or, if they’re lucky, get a day off school. Not so at Shaull Elementary School in Enola PA, where the Annual Veterans Day celebration is full of activities that are both fun and educational. Thanks to the efforts of the Shaull Elementary PTO Community Service Coordinator Lisa Blickley and a dedicated teaching staff, students learn about veterans and their outstanding contributions to our country.
“Change Challenge” nets $1490.04 for Aid for Wounded Soldiers
During the week preceding Veterans Day, children are asked to contribute their loose change to a special jar in each classroom – with 15 extra minutes of recess going to the class collecting the most money. The students presented a giant check for $1490.04 to the Aid for Wounded Soldiers project to Frank Lasch, Chairman and CEO of Azalea Charities. Frank was on hand to talk about his experiences working with Aid for Wounded Soldiers. According to Lasch, “It was heartwarming to hear the teachers give the children insight into the lives and sacrifices of our soldiers and help them understand the true meaning of Veterans Day. I am certain when I tell the wounded soldiers and their families how much the kids appreciate them and show it with their fundraising, pictures, poems and essays, it will greatly aid in their recovery.”
Posters educate students and raise morale for veterans
Students were encouraged to create a poster that shows what Veterans Day means to them and their family. The posters were on display at the school until November 14th and will be given to Azalea Charities to hang in surrounding VA Hospitals to help promote morale for the wounded soldiers. Some of the drawings were also made into greeting cards.
Stars honored favorite veterans
To bring the idea of veterans in the community closer to the students, names of veterans were submitted to the school and displayed on patriotic stars hanging in the school for the entire month of November.
Veterans Day Assembly combines talents of local veterans, teachers and PTO
The Veterans Day Assembly is the highlight of the celebration. Family members who are veterans or active military are invited to attend so they can be appreciated and participate in this program. The program usually includes the Cumberland County Color Guard to present the colors for the opening ceremony, and to retire the colors at the end. Other highlights have included a WWII history re-enactor that gave the kids a living history lesson that they loved.
Mrs. Zygmunt, a military veteran and the Music/Band teacher, works with the 4th grade chorus to sing the military branch motto melody, the Pledge of Allegiance, and God Bless America. Mrs. Zygmunt ends the ceremony by playing TAPS on a single trumpet. The kids really enjoy this and it makes the event special. Principal Baldrige is very supportive of the PTO efforts for Veterans Day and talks with the kids about why we celebrate a special day for our veterans.
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