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Veterans Day a Learning Opportunity in Washoe County Schools
Students participate in school assemblies and Veterans Day Parade
Media Note: Media are invited to Veterans Day activities at Swope and Cold Springs middle schools and Stead Elementary School. Please see the end of the release for details. Contact Nancy Leuenhagen for more information and to schedule interviews.
Reno, NV (Nov. 9, 2011) - Thousands of students in classrooms around the Washoe County School District will honor and remember the millions of men and women who have served in the nation's armed forces with assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and other school activities.
Although Veterans Day is a holiday for the Washoe County School District, many schools are planning activities for Thursday, Nov. 10 to commemorate America's veterans.
"It is imperative that our students understand that the freedoms they enjoy as Americans came at a cost and that Veterans Day is not just another holiday from school. It's important that students are actively involved in an opportunity to honor our American veterans. It is essential that they understand the gravity of the sacrifice that our American veterans have made for us to live the lives we're able to live and have the means to make our dreams become reality," Amy Callahan, Swope Middle School Assistant Principal, said.
Swope students will come together on Thursday morning for an assembly dedicated to the country's veterans. In addition to the presentation by the Reno High School JROTC Color Guard and performances by Swope's band, choir and strings ensemble, several students will read their poetry and essays about patriotism and freedom. The school will also honor the veterans in the audience.
"The veterans of our Swope families are showcased in a PowerPoint presentation and are invited to be our guests on campus during the assembly. It is a somber program that packs a patriotic punch. Students leave the assembly honoring our American soldiers and in awe of their sacrifice," Callahan said.
Other WCSD schools will hold similar observances for their students and families. Cold Springs Middle School Principal Roberta Duvall said teachers have been discussing the importance of Veterans Day during classroom lesson plans leading up to their assembly on Thursday.
"We will be honoring our family members of students and staff along with staff members who have served or are currently serving," Duvall said.
Students are showing their appreciation through other activities as well. Reno High School students will be making greeting cards for troops in Afghanistan, the head of the District's JROTC program LTC Norb Czech said. The Reno High JROTC cadets are organizing the event and working with the Nevada Air National Guard to deliver the cards overseas. A group of cadets from Spanish Springs High School will be going to the VA hospital this week as well to visit with veterans and thank them for their service, according to Czech.
A representative for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 719, will present Stead Elementary School with a check to support the schools accelerated reading program. To thank them, the students are adding the group to a special wall in the school's multipurpose room that is dedicated to honoring local veterans.
"Their commitment to donate to our school library has made it possible to purchase updated accelerated reading books for our students. Because of their continued support, our students have excelled in reading," Stead Elementary librarian Debbie Tomburello said.
The week's activities will conclude with approximately 1,650 JROTC cadets marching in the Veterans Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 11. Superintendent Heath Morrison, Deputy Superintendent Jane Woodburn, Chief Academic Officer Scott Bailey and WCSD Trustees John Mayer and Scott Kelley will be joining the students in the parade.
Kelley, who served in the military between 1994 and 2005, said he looks forward to participating in the event with the District's students. "It's important that our students have a chance to participate in an event like the City of Reno Veterans Day parade. Not only do the student bands and JROTC cadets perform for citizens at the parade, but they're being engaged during a very important holiday that honors our military men and women."
Media Opportunities
Event: Swope Middle School Annual Veterans Day AssemblyDate: Thursday, Nov. 10Time: 7:45 to 9 a.m.Location: Swope Middle SchoolEvent: Cold Springs Middle School Veterans Day AssemblyDate: Thursday, Nov. 10Time: 8 to 9 a.m.Location: Cold Springs Middle SchoolEvent: Check presentation to Stead ElementaryDate: Thursday, Nov. 10Time: 2:30 p.m.Location: Stead Elementary School
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About Washoe County School District: The Washoe County School District includes the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area, Incline Village, Gerlach, Empire and Wadsworth, Nevada. The District provides each of its 63,000 students with a superior education in a safe and challenging environment and is committed to graduate every child career and college ready.
For more information visit: www.washoecountyschools.org. Follow us on Twitter at WCSDTweet.
