For Immediate Release
Contact: Holly Brooker
(845) 255-1450 xt.1301 Ulster BOCES Students Pay Homage to the 9/11 Courageous Americans

September 11, 2002 is a day of infamy in United States history. While no one will ever fully understand what happened on that fateful day at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and in the Pennsylvanian field, the courageous and heroic acts of the American people, from rescue workers responding to the devastating scenes to the amazing efforts and kindness of the volunteers, will never be forgotten.

Governor Pataki has requested that all schools, colleges, and universities observe the anniversary of the attacks by observing a moment of silence at 8:46 AM, the moment of impact of the first plane into the World Trade Center; 9:03 AM, the moment of impact of the second plane; 9:59 AM, the moment the South Tower collapsed; and 10:29 AM, the moment the North Tower fell.

Governor Pataki has also requested schools, colleges, and universities to toll their school bells at 10:29 AM, the moment of the collapse of the North Tower on that most tragic of days.

The Ulster BOCES at Tillson school, located on Grist Mill Road, as well as all other Ulster BOCES locations, will join schools statewide by answering the Governor's request for the moments of silence and bell tolling in an effort to pay homage to all those who selflessly gave their lives, time, and assistance during the attacks and in the aftermath.

At the Ulster BOCES at Tillson school, students and staff will also engage in learning activities to commemorate those who demonstrated courage during the tragic day of September 11. According to Anne Kelly, Ulster BOCES supervisor of Special Education at Tillson and Rondout Valley, a flag raising ceremony will take place and there will be an assembly that will culminate a morning of reading, writing, researching articles, short stories, poems, and historical documents. The staff and students will also be creating posters and artwork to reflect the things they have read and discussed pertaining to September 11.

Kelly hopes the commemoration will also serve to develop community among the staff and students. This desired outcome is part of an initiative program in character development that the Ulster BOCES at Tillson staff has recently implemented. The mission statement of the initiative program, Character Education Partnership (CEP), reads, “Developing civic virtue and moral character in our youth for a more compassionate and responsible society.”

CEP follows the 10 Aspects of Character, which are: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, honesty, courage, diligence, and integrity. The aspect of respect will be the main focus at the Ulster BOCES at Tillson school for the month of September, beginning with the very special commemoration event.

For more information, contact Anne Kelly at 658-3091.

AGENDA:

• 8:30 AM – Flag Raising Ceremony
• 8:46 AM – A Moment of Silence Observed
• 9:03 AM – A Moment of Silence Observed
• 9:59 AM – A Moment of Silence Observed
• 10:29 AM – Ring Bells
• 10:30 AM – Assembly