In remembrance of 9/11, MVCSD holds moments of silence and educates students on important history

Moments of silence were held across the Mount Vernon City School District early on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in remembrance of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Classrooms throughout the District spent time during the day to remember the lives lost and the heroic efforts of first responders.

At the Board of Education, there were two moments of silence held at 8:46 a.m. for the time the first plane struck and 9:03 a.m. for the time the second plane hit.

“Let us never forget,” said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. “Please remember all those who lost their lives during that time. Specifically in Mount Vernon, we lost several people: Sandra Campbell, Katie McCloskey, Rochelle Snell, Michael Boccardi and Jonathan Briley. Let us never forget.”

At Lincoln School, social studies teacher John Reynolds held lessons for the seventh and eighth grade students centered around 9/11. The lesson plan included an activity of watching footage from the day of the tragedy, hearing survivor testimonials and talking with one another about the event timeline. Mr. Reynolds believes that it is important to continue teaching students about 9/11 because it is a part of recent American history and changed the whole world. 

“This is a significant event,” said Mr. Reynolds. “The kids are shocked. At first, they couldn't believe that this actually happened. They know it's a tragedy that happened, but when they hear the stories and see the people, they realize it's a real human event that changed the way we think of things in this world.” 

To process the tragedy and everything the students learned, students were tasked with writing a six-word story on how everything they have learned made them think and feel. They will also draw an image representing the aftermath and the ideas that their lessons mean to them.

Malcolm Nembhard, an eighth grader in Mr. Reynolds' class was inspired by everything he learned in class. He and his classmates watched videos of survivors talking about how life changed and how they lived their lives after the event, focusing on helping others and creating peace in remembrance of the tragedy. 

“Those victims did not know what was going to happen to them that day,” said Malcolm. “They just went in to do their job. So just enjoy every moment of your life.”