Written: September 23, 2007 at 7:52PM EST
Since I posted my entry on my school’s blatant disregard to the tragedy of September 11th, some interesting information has arisen. First off is the administration.
According to the principal of the school, “No other schools were recognizing the events which occurred that day, so why should we?” In fact, he felt no remourse in ignoring this date and come to find out, all the other schools in the area had a moment of silence. A group of students at my school started a petition for a late moment of silence. After getting about 3/4 of the school to sign it, Mr. Abrams agreed to set up a meeting with the group.
The day of the meeting arrived and the group of students arrived to meet with him. He never showed up. Shortly before classes were to begin, he walked into his office and his secretary reminded him of the meeting. According to one student, he said “He had completely forgotten about it.” Basically he tried to avoid the situation. Instead of forgetting about the meeting, the students walked with him and they had their meeting. In the following days, nothing happened. Then shortly after, a 20 second moment of silence was observed. The students believed it was a moment of triumph.
Wrong! Although the students did the work, the recognition was most likely only due to parents who called and complained. Knowing he was in hot water, he gave in. And then to make the school look even better, a “Letter to the Editor” was posted in the local paper.
My son Evan, who just completed his basic training for the Army this summer and is now a senior, was upset that Sept. 11 was not observed in Horseheads High School.
As a parent having two sons and a son-in-law in the military, I’m just as angry. How can a national tragedy and the lives of thousands of innocent American lives be forgotten?
I’d like to quote the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt after the attack on Pearl Harbor, “… a date that will live in infamy.”
The date related to Horseheads High School will always be Sept. 11, the day the principal and other school district officials so thoughtlessly failed to observe.
I want to say that I’m very proud of my son and the other students who by the courage of their convictions are trying to remedy this situation.
I wish more of our leaders in our school district had the backbone and courage to stand up and do what is right as these students did. Hopefully their determination to do right will undo a wrong.
How soon we have forgotten the terror we all felt when we saw our nation under attack only six short years ago.
ROBERT BURDICK JR.
Burdick, Robert. “Horseheads High should have observed 9/11 .” Star-Gazette 20 September 2007: A8+.
All in all, I would have to say it was a bitter-sweet victory for the remembrance of September 11th. Honestly, whats worse, ignoring the fact the events took place, or to recognize them only because failing to causes criticism?
Written: September 11, 2007 at 5:18PM EST
Well, lets see today started off as a normal day… and apparently ended as a normal one as well. Nothing interesting on the news, same-old boring announcements. Just another blah day…
OH WAIT! Would you look at that! It’s 9/11. Its a wonder it took me until noon to even figure out it was the 11th. I have to say the coverage and remembrance for those who died that day is a disgrace. I find that for a country of people who cry “We will never forget!” and sport the “I am Patriot… Are you?” bumper stickers and tags, can’t even stop for a moment of silence for that tragic day.
Keep in mind, I was only in sixth grade when the attacks occurred, but I remember it so well. Sitting in English class and the teacher turning on the TV and seeing the towers fall. It was a hard day for a lot of people. In fact, for weeks following, news of “The WTC Incident” changed to “An Act of Terror” to “The War on Terror” and then finally to “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” It upset people to the point that Starbucks had to change and ad champagne because it “offended” people. Of course, at the time this was completely understandable.
For years following the attacks, many spent the day in mourning the lost, others gave just a moment of silence. Documentaries and recorded news-reels filled the day. Today however, not a thing could be seen. Local channels hadn’t aired coverage, no announcement at school, nothing even remotely resembling September 11th of the last 5 years. It’s quite sad really-that a country hell-bent on patriotism and avenging those lost can’t even stop for a moment to give their condolences lost and look to the future.
Written: September 6, 2007 at 9:45PM EST
So I’m a day late. Doesn’t matter really, everyone under age of 18 knows the feeling: no more sleeping in, no more late nights, no more days of doing nothing. Although that sounds rather negative, there were some good points about the restart of school. First off, I would have to say are my new classes. This semester my classes aren’t bad at all - and in fact, most appear to be rather simple (albeit its only the second day, but considering those in my classes, I don’t think it’ll be bad. My schedule is as follows:
Period 1/2 - Astronomy - Mr. Saks
Period 3/4 - Creative Writing/Journalism - Ms. Ferrari
Period 5/6 - Lunch/Activity
Period 7/8 - Health - Ms. Grap
Period 9/10 - Child Development - Mrs. Fraley
To be honest, I didn’t really choose Child Development, but my counselor believed it would be a good class to take if I plan to pursue English Education after High School. So far it doesn’t seem too bad, although I am outnumbered 22:1 (Girl/Guy ratio).
Astronomy isn’t bad either. The kids in my class are a bit on the annoying side, but I do know a vast majority of them. The same is true with Creative Writing/Journalism. Health class so far seems like Kindergarten and from the description given by the teacher, it’ll remain so. The amount of coloring and games is a bit out there - and again I know most of my class. Then Child Development ends the day. Mrs. Fraley is ALWAYS late because she has a food class further down the hall and she has to make sure the room isn’t going to burn the school down. 
Basically the class is just about the best ways to raise children and how to teach/discipline them without scarring them for life. Aside from being completely outnumbered, the class isn’t bad. And once the temperature begins to drop for Autumn, it’ll be even better. 90 degree school days aren’t fun at all.
Looking back on the majority of this post, I guess I can’t say schools horrible at all. Its such a big change to actually have classes you chose instead of ones chosen for you… now I just need to get my license and I’ll be set (I HATE the bus).