Pattonville schools spent the weeks surrounding Veterans Day learning about and thanking local veterans for their service to the country. Several schools held special events.
Students at the Pattonville Early Childhood Center created Veterans Day cards for veterans at the St. Louis VA hospital.
At Bridgeway Elementary School, second grade teacher Isabel DiSalvo’s dad, Michael DiSalvo, a former captain of the Army serving 21 years, visited his daughter’s classroom to talk about his military experiences. He shared information about his travels and how he was able to help people, including kids just like the students he was talking to by building schools, getting people access to clean water and keeping people safe. In addition, several classrooms read stories and completed activities to honor Veterans Day.
Drummond Elementary School hosted its third annual Veterans Day Torch Run on Nov. 8. Students and staff invited current and veteran military members to walk through the hallways as students and staff held up signs and cheered for them. Following the run, students were invited to tour a military vehicle brought by the Missouri Army National Guard. Additionally, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Wendell W. Webb, the 2023 Marine Corps League National Marine of the Year, spoke to the students during an assembly about patriotism, finding their passions when thinking about a future career and technology in schools and the workforce.
Parkwood Elementary School fourth grade students honored veterans during the school’s annual Veterans Day concert. Before the concert music teacher Katie Leonard guided fourth graders as they developed speaking parts and created decorations. The day of the concert, students greeted guests and performed patriotic songs. During the concert, PE teacher and Veteran Kyle Schaper spoke about his experiences as a Marine to honor those who've served. At the end of the performance, veterans in attendance were individually thanked for their service as students and staff exited the gym. Any veteran in the community was invited to attend.
Rose Acres Elementary School extended an invitation to military family members, welcoming them to share a special lunch with their students in a thoughtfully decorated cafeteria. The vibrant ambiance featured student-made banners, and a captivating slideshow showcasing pictures of the veterans present, creating a meaningful backdrop that played throughout all lunch shifts.
At Willow Brook Elementary School, invited veterans to say the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements. Photos of veterans were also displayed throughout the school in hallways and on TV displays. Students also wrote letters to veterans which were delivered to local VFW and American Legion locations.
Eighth graders at Remington Traditional School worked with kindergarten students to explore what it means to be a veteran. They also helped students develop fine motor skills by creating a special piece of art honoring veterans and helped them write what Veterans Day means.
Students at Pattonville Heights Middle School participated in a leadership lesson focusing on the contributions of veterans and how they have to persevere in life and in their duty to keep people safe. Students were given a quote by actor Christopher Reeves: “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Pirate Time teachers and students discussed what the word “persevere” means and how it applies to overcoming obstacles. Students were then asked to talk about any of their family members who served in the military and how they had to persevere in the military and in life. Finally, the students wrote thank you notes to family or anyone they knew in the military or served as a hero to them.
Pattonville High School hosted its annual Veterans Day breakfast and program on Nov. 10. Members of the Student Council and Rho Kappa honor society cheered veterans upon their arrival. Community participants who served in the armed forces and as first responders received a breakfast made and served by high school culinary arts students while listening to the high school orchestra perform. After, a program in the auditorium featured flag folding and Missing Man Table ceremony conducted by members of American Legion Post 213. The high school band and chamber choir also performed and a special veteran appreciation video was shown.
