How Southcentral Wisconsin schools discuss 9/11 with kids born long after

“That particular course had an amazing professor who informed the class and facilitated a conversation,” Flood said. “As I reflect, the way the professor handled the news was a great lesson for an aspiring educator. It was a great lesson on the importance of being factual, not making speculations, encouraging questions, engaging in dialogue, and being empathetic during a time of crisis and uncertainty.”

Columbus and other school districts have been deciding for 25 years how to teach about 9/11. But now they are reaching a group students who were not alive on that day.

“I recall the professor did a great job of reminding college-age students to not only think about the events in terms of ourselves, but also to consider the people that the events were impacting directly,” Flood said. “I believe that is an important component not to overlook on the upcoming special day of remembrance. There is no manual for educators to deliver that type of message or news; however, it is a position that educators sometimes encounter. As commonly expressed, it was definitely a never-forget-where-you-were event.”

Portage

Sept. 11 instruction begins in middle school.

Bartels Middle School Principal Kasey Podoll said students there get information on the broader significance of the attacks and their impact on American society. On the 25th anniversary next Friday, a special video will be shown during homeroom sessions throughout the school.

In Portage High School social studies classes, “Part of our curriculum in ninth grade covers the events of 9/11 and the larger implication with global terrorism and domestic terrorism,” teacher Elizabeth Hansen said.

The department acknowledges the attacks on Sept. 11 every year, Hansen said.

Sophomores through seniors have been through one of the four teachers’ courses, so they have a good understanding of Sept. 11 and its historic impact, according to teacher Sarah Pulliam, who is putting together the special 25th anniversary lesson.

She and the other teachers will talk with students about how teachers and students felt the moment the attacks occurred.

“It’s so powerful for them to hear stories that are just like, ‘So and so died, but, like, how were other people impacted?’” teacher Stef Zehner said.

One of the teachers, Matt Denure, taught at Bartels Middle School on Sept. 11, 2001.

“Since it was middle school, we did not address it with the students directly,” Denure said, adding that administrators did not want students being too fearful and that parents did not pick up kids early from school. “Teachers were obviously unsettled, especially when the second plane hit. We knew it was not an accident.”

Lessons on 9/11 were infrequent in the following years, as many students remembered the day. However, in the last decade, Portage teachers began incorporating it into units of lesson plans, Denure said.

The high school’s upcoming lesson shows a human impact from the attacks, not just facts, dates and timelines, he said.

None of the students were alive 25 years ago, but Hansen noted that changes in American society that stem from the attacks, particularly with airport security, are basically second nature to today’s high school students.

Beaver Dam

Beaver Dam United School District will recognize the 25th anniversary of the attack on Friday with a plan to not only help the students learn about the events of the day but honor those who lost their lives.

“Throughout the District, the focus will remain on helping students learn from history, honor those affected and express gratitude to those who continue to serve our communities,” Superintendent Mark DiStefano said.

At the elementary level, students will participate in age-appropriate activities, including wearing red, white and blue, school-wide announcements, moments of silence and opportunities to recognize local heroes, DiStefano said.

Students at Washington and Lincoln elementary schools will create thank-you cards for local first responders and hospital personnel, while Prairie View students will gather at the flagpole, with fifth-grade chorus students performing patriotic selections. Jefferson Elementary School also will incorporate classroom conversations appropriate to each age group.

“Our goal is to help students understand what happened, remember those who were lost, and recognize the courage and service demonstrated by first responders and everyday citizens,” the superintendent said.

“Sept. 11 is additionally addressed through the social studies curriculum in grades 3–5 at various points throughout the year,” he said.

At Beaver Dam High School, students will receive brief historical context and participate in a moment of silence following announcements. Social studies classes will provide opportunities to learn about the significance of Sept. 11, while English Language Arts classes will incorporate short writing and reflection activities focused on themes such as resilience, service and heroism.

The school also will recognize three Beaver Dam High School graduates memorialized on the school’s Honor Wall who lost their lives in the ensuing war, DiStefano said.

“We also want students to understand that heroism is not limited to extraordinary moments,” he said. “It can be found in the everyday choices people make to serve, support and care for others.”

Baraboo

Students in the Baraboo School District are introduced “at different points throughout their education” to the Sept. 11 events, according to Superintendent Steve Considine. He said context and depth increase as they advance through grade levels.

“At the secondary level, students are able to examine the events with a greater understanding of the historical context and their impact on the United States and the world,” he said in an email.

Teachers present 9/11 and its context in an age-appropriate manner and within curriculum context, according to Considine. He added that changes in U.S. foreign policy, overseas conflicts and national security are usually taught in the high school.

There is no districtwide lesson for the 25th anniversary, he said, but teachers can recognize it in their individual classrooms.

Columbus

Schools still reflect on Sept. 11 each year with a natural conversation going on in the buildings, Flood said.

“As long as I can remember, Sept. 11 has naturally been a topic of conversation in our schools every year.”

In discussing 9/11, Flood said, the District carefully considers the age and developmental level of the students.

“With this year marking the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, we anticipate there may be greater attention to the anniversary than in recent years,” he said.

There are no students that were alive at the time, but the teachers do work hard to provide factual and relevant information to the students, he said.

“We encourage families to consider having age-appropriate conversations at home as well,” he said.

The schools’ regular instruction will not be interrupted, but they will observe Sept. 11 to honor the law enforcement officers, firefighters and all who risked or lost their lives that day, he said.