Columbia Social Studies Teacher Jeff Tooker leading a lesson about 9/11 in his Participation in Government class on Thursday.
The East Greenbush Central School District observed Patriot Day, the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, on Thursday with a series of meaningful tributes and educational activities across the school district.
Flags at Half Staff
All flags on school grounds were flown at half-staff on Thursday, as directed by Governor Kathy Hochul, in remembrance of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Moment of Silence
Superintendent Dr. Kurtis Kotes led a district-wide moment of silence with a public address announcement to all schools on Thursday morning. He spoke about the tragic events from 24 years ago, including the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the downed plane in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Kotes’s message emphasized the significance of Patriot Day as a time to honor first responders and those who lost their lives and to reflect on “American resilience as a true fabric of our American democracy.”
Educating the Next Generation
Learning about 9/11 was a central part of the day’s events. At the elementary schools, some classes read the picturebook “Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey,” which tells the story of an old fireboat that played a heroic role on September 11, 2001.
At Columbia High School, Social Studies Teacher Jeff Tooker, a volunteer firefighter, dedicated his classes to the topic. Using primary sources and videos, he guided students in small group activities, with each class (Participation in Government, U.S. History, and Forensics) focusing on a different aspect of the event.
Teachers from across the district talked about Patriot Day with students in an age-appropriate manner and answered their questions.
Principal Dan Garab reading the book Fireboat to John Flanagan’s 2nd grade class at Green Meadow Elementary School.
Honoring Local Heroes
Goff Middle School displayed the names of first responders from its school community on video boards in the cafeteria. The names of staff and family members of students who have served as first responders scrolled from one to another throughout the day in recognition of their public service.
- Anthony Proulx – Firefighter
- Bill Conboy – Retired New York State Police Sergeant/Goff School Security Officer
- Chad Tromblee – EMT & Firefighter
- Christopher Bender – United States Air Force Major & Retired War Veteran
- Christopher Laurenzo – Police Detective
- Chuck Milkiewicz – Chief of Best-Luther Fire Department
- Deputy Jay Gravelle – Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department/Goff School Resource Officer
- Edward O’Leary – Albany Police Officer (Retired)
- Erik Hopkins – EMT & Firefighter
- Ethan Milkiewicz – Firefighter
- James Meltz – Retired New York State Police/Retired Army National Guard/Volunteer Firefighter
- James Piacente – FDNY – Engine 55 & United States Air Force Firefighter
- Jean Schweigert – EMT & Firefighter
- Jeff Guzy – Retired Colonie Police Detective/Goff School Security Officer
- Jeff Tooker – Volunteer Firefighter (Past Chief of East Greenbush Fire Department)
- Jessica Gray – New York State Court Officer & New York State EMT
- Jessica Mosbey – Nurse
- John Schweigert – Firefighter
- John Scott – New York Army National Guard
- Jordan Krzemien – Firefighter & Auxiliary School Counselor at Goff Middle School
- Joseph Hoffman – United States Navy
- Keith Boniface – 911 Dispatcher & Police Officer
- Kevan Seiden – Firefighter & Paramedic
- Lauren Hoffman – New York State Police
- Marc Iorio – Firefighter
- Melissa McHugh – Nurse at Goff Middle School
- Melissa Milkiewicz – Assistant Chief of Best-Luther Fire Department
- Michael Russell – Firefighter
- Michael Zsiga – United States Marine Corp Sergeant
- Mike Benson Jr. – Firefighter
- Patrick Shaw – Firefighter
- Rachel Fulton – Nurse
- Richard Madsen – Army National Guard
- Robert Lehman – Firefighter & 911 Dispatcher
- Samantha Milkiewicz – EMT & Firefighter
- Sarah Benson – Registered Nurse
- Taylor Milkiewicz – Assistant Chief at Best-Luther Fire Department
- Tracy Heritage – Nurse at Goff Middle School
- William Rodgers – United States Navy Chief
- Wilson Osborn – United States Marine Corp & United States Navy
- Zachary Malone – New York State Police
More information about 9/11 can be found at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The website includes a Youth and Families section which has tips for talking to children about terrorism and activities you can do together at home.