Treaty Rock Elementary salutes America's heroes
Treaty Rock Elementary second-grader Lexie Bainter adds an idea to a chart Monday as she and her classmates brainstorm different things to thank veterans for in honor of Veterans Day.
Courtesy photo
Trinity Alexander, a second-grader at Treaty Rock Elementary School in Post Falls, drafts a letter thanking a veteran for his or her service in class on Monday. The whole school has been focusing on Veterans Day in different ways since holiday performances and assemblies have been sidelined because of COVID-19.
A class of fifth-graders at Treaty Rock Elementary during a Veterans Day event this week engage with teacher James Shepard, left, and his dad, Don Shepard, about Don's experiences in the Army.
In honor of Veterans Day, Treaty Rock Elementary is sending letters and drawings to local vets and military deployed around the world. Second-grader Kynlee Chambers wrote in her letter to a veteran: "Thank you for putting your life on the line for us."
POST FALLS — Treaty Rock Elementary second-grader Luke Weaver understands the sacrifices soldiers make.
"My dad is in the military on a boat right now and I don't get to see him for a year," Luke said. "If I could talk to him, I would tell him I love him and I miss him very much!"
In Jessica Lamb's second-grade classroom, her students spent time this week writing letters thanking veterans for their service. They read an article, watched a video and brainstormed ideas on how to express their gratitude.
From there, each student was asked to write their own personal letter to a veteran thanking them.
"My classroom was so quiet as my students were working hard to write the best letters ever for our soldiers," Lamb said. "They truly wanted to impress the soldier who would be reading their letter."
Jase VanKeirsbulck said he would tell the veterans "thank you for protecting us."
"Oh, I would also tell them they have a really cool job," he said. "My uncle and grandpa are veterans, and they are cool."
Michael Dubs said writing this letter allowed him to say "thank you" to someone he's never met.
"Thank you to all the veterans for protecting us," he said.
All of Treaty Rock is focusing on America's heroes in honor of Veterans Day. Students are learning about what the military does and the kids are writing letters and drawing pictures to thank servicemen and servicewomen for their work.
Principal Katrina Kramer is collecting the letters and drawings to send to local veterans and soldiers deployed around the world.
Treaty Rock is celebrating Veterans Day in these creative ways in lieu of annual assemblies and school performances that have been sidelined because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Fifth grade had a Zoom meeting with veterans and asked questions, Kramer said.
"We've had a variety of really cool things we've been able to adapt as we are teaching our kids about Veterans Day," she said.
The letters will go out today.
