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Ranney Remembers 9/11 & Recalls American Spirit

Students, faculty, family, friends and local heroes gathered on Ranney School’s Guidone Track and Karagianakis Field to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 on Friday, September 9, 2011. While memory of the tragic events that occurred 10 short years ago will forever live on, the morning’s memorial service brought to mind how America’s spirit also lives on, regardless of the hardship its people encounter.
Students, faculty, family, friends and local heroes gathered on Ranney School’s Guidone Track and Karagianakis Field to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 on Friday, September 9, 2011.

While memory of the tragic events that occurred 10 short years ago will forever live on, the morning’s memorial service brought to mind how America’s spirit also lives on, regardless of the hardship its people encounter. Surrounded by first responders, local police officers, fire fighters and honored guest speaker State Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr., all in attendance were reminded of the extraordinary accomplishments that can be achieved when a community unites as a nation.

During his opening reflection on the value of remembering, Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff recalled the importance of thanking first responders for the role they played throughout the community after 9/11. “Just as we will never forget those lost in the events of 9/11, we must also never forget the local police, fire and EMS teams who risked their lives, and continue working to help those in need each and every day,” said Dr. Sykoff.

Dr. Sykoff also thanked local politicians, including Senator Kyrillos, for their unyielding guidance through times of despair. Senator Kryillos referred to the morning’s service not only as a time to pray for the families of loved ones lost, but also to learn about self-sacrificing heroes of the United States. “Although true that this community witnessed fear of terrorism, it also witnessed that which Americans are willing to do to help one another,” he said.

In acknowledgement of their services to the community, Ranney presented Senator Kyrillos, Middletown Mayor Anthony Fiore and former Tinton Falls Police Chief Gerry Turning with school medallions and framed letters of merit, as well as recognized Second Lieutenant of the Tinton Falls Fire Company Brendan Tobin for his service to the community. In addition, the school donated $500 to the Middletown World Trade Center Memorial Gardens — a memorial that honors 37 Middletown residents whose lives were taken as a result of the 9/11 attacks. According to Mayor Fiore, the tragic events of 9/11 taught not only Middletown, but also the nation, many lessons in character that will never be forgotten. “When you look at the flag, I ask that you remember we are Americans,” said Mayor Fiore. “We cannot be defeated, we remember and we rebuild.”

In his remarks, Lieutenant Tobin encouraged students to visit Monmouth Battlefield State Park, where one of the largest battles of the American Revolution took place, in honor of the country’s history and determination not to succumb to fear.
Although many students at the service were, luckily, too young to truly know of the turmoil and widespread fear felt throughout the nation on September 11, 2001, the morning’s memorial service provided a clear demonstration of the undying hope that still remains today. “I learned that people in America died, but that American spirit will never die,” said fourth grader Peter Taunov.



Teaching 9/11 Really Means Teaching Honor
Reflections by Patricia Marshall, Head of the Lower School & Associate Head for Academic Administration

I pause and think carefully about the impact of this morning on our impressionable young students and our own children, who are the future of our nation. There are a few things to keep in mind that will help you talk to children if and when questions arise while watching the news throughout this important anniversary weekend.

1. Remember that elementary school students were born between 2001-2008. They have no understanding of what 9/11 is…no visuals, no context, no memory. They have never known the New York City skyline or a symbol of "grand" America with the Twin Towers' silhouette. They are a blank canvas of hope, optimism, vision, and endless potential. They are products of "post 9/11" America.

Therefore, especially for children up to first grade, 9/11 tributes should be about patriotism. Discuss the colors of the flag, symbols of our nation, (including the Statue of Liberty, stars and stripes, the shape of our map, and the ways we celebrate being American. . . our cultures and traditions.)

2. Students in grades 2-4 like shock. . . they have a morbid curiosity about life and death, tragedy and sadness. This is normal. They have a need to know of "cause and effect" and they chat often about gore, crashes, booms, blood, war and pain. Guide the conversation by encouraging them to vacate drama. . . embrace the need for somber thought and prayers, and peace. Rely on the lessons of our community standards and the honor code and talk about 9/11 in the context of tolerance, trust, empathy, and courage, about cultures and peoples, diversity and differences…most of all about Honor.

3. Fifth graders tend to cusp the readiness of conceptual understandings and can relate to moral and ethical dilemmas of conflict between peoples. They can talk about cause and effect and will share judgments about why 9/11 is so tragic in our nation's history. Talk to students about historical moments in the USA that were tragic, such as Shay's Rebellion, Civil War, Assassination of Presidents, Pearl Harbor. Draw correlations and talk about courage and strength, the power of unity and how good prevails.
 
I offer each of you - your families and friends - peace as we reflect upon that tragic day, Tuesday, September 11, 2001. For more information on talking to your children about 9/11, please click here.

Read Dr. Sykoff's 9/11 Reflections here

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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.