Of American Heroes, Patriotism and a New Generation: Campbell Union School District Remembers 9/11

Ten years ago today, the United States was shaken by a single event.

For schools, school districts, teachers and administrators, it's an event that cannot be ignored. But a few things must be kept in mind before beginning the discussion.

"It's important for students to know and acknowledge the event," says Eric Andrew, superintendent. "It is something that has had a major impact on our daily lives and it's important to recognize its part in our history."

While most of us can remember exactly when we first learned of the unfolding tragedy of 9/11, Blackford Elementary School Principal Katie Middlebrook says that kindergarten through fifth-graders don't.

"None of these kids were born then," she says.

At her school, Red, White and Blue Day was celebrated Friday as a means to build community and honor those lost 10 years ago.

"We talk about heroes, talk about patriotism," she says. "In the afternoons, there are classroom meetings, and the conversations will probably come up there. We have to be straightforward."

Any details or in-depth conversation of the event does not take place unless it comes up in a natural progression of conversations, she says, because there may be children in classrooms who have direct ties to the event, who may have lost a family member.

The conversation and questions that come up in conversation with the students up to fourth grade are much simpler than that of the school's fifth-grade students.

"The fifth-graders are the babies of this," Middlebrook says. "They were in utero when all of this happened. It’s very different. You can have frank conversations. The types of questions they have are different than those the younger kids have. Psychologically, they’re different than the other groups."

Patch, through its parent company, AOL, is involved in a project called ActionAmerica. The project is a collaboration of several corporations, individuals and non-profits organizations designed to honor those affected by the events of 9/11 and unify the country through positive action.