BCSD Remembers 9/11

In remembrance of 9/11, all Bedford Central School District schools observed a moment of silence to honor those lost and our courageous first responders. In addition, each school commemorated the occasion in their own age appropriate way—focusing on heroes and acts of kindness.

“Historical events like this give us an opportunity to pause and consider how each one of us has the opportunity to positively affect those around us each day,” Fox Lane High School Principal Dr. Jennifer Amos said to students and staff during morning announcements. “Today, I encourage you to prioritize saying thank you, to extend a helping hand to someone who may be struggling, to make a new connection, and to stand up for what is right.”

Schools throughout the district shared a similar message during their morning announcements, with different grade levels marking the day in different ways. At Pound Ridge Elementary School, for example, teachers read picture books like A Day with a Police Officer, Branches of Hope, Saved by the Boats and This Very Tree to their students.

At West Patent Elementary School, students completed a Good Deed Pledge and embarked on their annual Week of Service. The entire school took part in harvesting honey—a hands-on project that reflects the school’s commitment to service learning. The honey will be sold at back-to-school night with a portion of the proceeds going to BluePath, which provides service dogs to people with autism.

Bedford Hills Elementary School held its fourth annual Patriots’ Day assembly with local first responders visiting and sharing how they got into their line of work. After a schoolwide assembly—during which first responders were gifted with treats, handmade signs and banners—a few first responders stuck around to speak to fifth graders about their 9/11 experiences. They shared personal photos and focused on the helpers and the ways in which people came together in the days following the attacks.

“What we want you to remember,” said Bedford Hills Fire Department Deputy Chief Joseph Lombardo, “is that that day was all about helping people.”

At Fox Lane Middle School, students learned about helping people via the Tunnels to Towers foundation. Coach Heather Miller spoke to students about 9/11 and designed a Tunnel to Towers-like run in which students ran two miles and had the option of wearing weighted backpacks to mimic the weight first responders were carrying as they ran through the tunnel on 9/11. Some students gave up their lunch periods to finish the run. Others asked to carry backpacks weighing sixty pounds to feel what it was like for first responders that day.

“Contribute in whatever way you can,” Miller told students. “The most important part is that you’re reflecting and remembering.”