A Pennsbury elementary school took the opportunity to honor veterans in the community Thursday with a breakfast and ceremony.
This year marks the first that Oxford Valley Elementary School in Falls Township held such an event for Veterans Day, but it will certainly not be the last. The breakfast and following ceremony were designed to teach the students about the importance of Veterans’ Day.
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After a breakfast in the school’s cafeteria, more than 30 veterans walked into the school’s gymnasium, where more than 420 kids were waiting to greet them.
Fifth graders sang the National Anthem and then organizing teachers put together a brief presentation to explain to the students why the military is important. The also spoke with kids about why it is important to honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve the country. The ceremony included students giving gift bags to the veterans they invited. Different grades and classes sang songs and reading poems before the entire school sang “We Are A Grateful Nation.”
“The words of the song really fit so well,” said Jennifer Stephens, the music teacher at Oxford Valley and one of the key organizers of the ceremony.
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Students were excited to sing to the veterans. Teachers practiced with their kids in class and on more than one occasion, teachers heard kids in the cafeteria break into patriotic songs, Stephens said.
“There has been such a draw to the song, they really love it,” she explained.
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Pulling the entire ceremony was a school-wide effort. Different teacher planned different activities for their students, while students invited their moms, dads and grandparents to partake in the special ceremony.
“It really is a collective effort,” Stephens said.
One of those invited was Dennis Pesci, who was invited by his grand kids Josie (fifth grade) and Mira Desjardins (kindergarten.)
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“I had no idea it would be as good as it turned out,” Pesci said.
Josie and Mira’s favorite parts were singing, they said. The two girls were very pleased to be able to honor their veteran grandfather in this way.
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“It was very surprising, and I am honored to be here,” said Bill Young, who was also invited by his grand kids, Ben and Reagan Gates.
“You should be so proud of your veterans, because even though they might not have been around for some of those days, they were out fighting for you,” said Danielle Michael, another organizing teacher of the event.
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