SCHOOL NO. 8

The morning air was still, filled with the soft rustle of miniature American flags clutched tightly in the hands of School No. 8 students. Dressed in red, white, and blue, the children gathered on the soft turf of their new playground, their voices hushed with curiosity and reverence.

These students were not yet born when the world changed forever on September 11, 2001. Yet on this day, they stood together to remember — and to learn. As the crowd fell silent at exactly 8:46 a.m., the moment when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center, time seemed to pause.

For the children, 9/11 is a chapter in history books — something they have only heard about through lessons and family stories. For the parents, teachers, district leaders, and city officials standing beside them, however, the memories remain seared in their hearts, as vivid and painful today as they were almost a quarter century ago.

“Patriot Day isn’t just about looking back,” said Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y Perkins. “It’s about carrying forward the spirit of courage, compassion, and unity that emerged from the ashes of that day. Be the best version of yourself every single day, because this day will never come again.”

Superintendent Perkins’ words set the tone for a day of remembrance and reflection across Linden Public Schools, underscoring the importance of unity and resilience for both today’s students and future generations.

𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭

Across the district, schools joined in observing Patriot Day with moving displays of remembrance and pride. Many school entrances were lined with miniature American flags planted along walkways, creating striking vistas of red, white, and blue to greet students and staff as they arrived.

Classrooms and hallways were filled with patriotic colors as students and teachers commemorated the day with reflective readings, thoughtful discussions about heroism and sacrifice, and solemn moments of silence.

At School No. 8, the patriotic fervor reached its peak as songs like Ray Charles’ soulful rendition of “America the Beautiful” echoed across the playground. Students waved their flags high, their bright colors contrasting with the weight of the day’s message, creating a powerful scene of remembrance and hope.

At School No. 9, the day began with powerful symbols of unity and respect. The American flag outside the school was lowered to half-staff, its base surrounded by a ring of miniature flags. Like the entrances at School No. 1 and School No. 4, the walkway leading into the building was lined with rows of small American flags, creating a striking visual tribute as students and staff arrived for the day.

Inside School No. 9, Principal Angela A. Principato led the entire school in a solemn moment of silence over the PA system at exactly 8:46 a.m., marking the precise moment the first plane struck the North Tower. The silence was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, stirring patriotic songs, and heartfelt student readings of poems honoring the lives lost and the extraordinary bravery shown on that day.

Throughout the day, language arts classes centered their lessons on books and discussions about heroism, loss, and remembrance. Students also began a take-home family project reflecting on someone they have personally lost and the impact that individual had on their lives. Once completed, these projects will return to school and be transformed into a memorial mural, serving as a lasting tribute to both personal and collective memories connected to 9/11.

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐳: 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞

Young student leaders opened the School No. 8 ceremony by leading their peers in the School No. 8 pledge and the Pledge of Allegiance, setting a tone of pride and reflection.

Principal Michelle Rodriguez reminded students that honoring 9/11’s heroes doesn’t always come through grand gestures — it begins with small, everyday acts of kindness and respect.

“Here at School No. 8, we honor those heroes by being kind to others, helping our friends and teachers, and showing respect to everyone,” Rodriguez said. “When we do these things, we help make our school and community a better, safer place.”

𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝’𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞

Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden spoke directly to the students about the meaning of the word “indivisible” in the Pledge of Allegiance, emphasizing that unity is America’s greatest strength.

“No matter where we come from or what we look like, nothing should ever divide us,” Mayor Armstead told the students. “The people who attacked us wanted to tear us apart, but they failed — because in the face of tragedy, we came together. We have the greatest country in the world. We won’t be defeated, and we will always stand together.”

The mayor also praised Linden educators and leaders for promoting a school culture built on compassion, resilience, and shared responsibility.

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞

Dr. Perkins also shared a deeply personal story, recounting how her sister worked in one of the towers on 9/11 but, by a twist of fate, did not make it into work that day — a miraculous turn that spared her life. Perkins reflected on how her family’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the thousands of families who were not as fortunate.

She then turned her attention to honoring Jason Anderson, the district’s Facilities Manager. At the time of the attacks, Anderson had recently retired from the U.S. Navy and was working with the New York City Department of Transportation. When tragedy struck, he was among those who worked tirelessly at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attacks, showing extraordinary courage and dedication during one of the darkest moments in the nation’s history.

The crowd applauded as Anderson stepped forward to acknowledge the recognition.

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

𝘼𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚, 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙨 “𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡” 𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙉𝙤. 8 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙, 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜.

For these young learners, 9/11 may always remain a story told through lessons, pictures, and commemorations. But through ceremonies like these, its legacy comes alive — not only as a story of tragedy but as a testament to the strength, unity, and unbreakable spirit of a nation.