It was a brief but impactful ceremony for students at staff at Mandalay Elementary School in the Wantagh School District, who came together at the flagpole to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 

Shortly after the school day began on Sept. 10, students in grades K-5 went outside where they said the Pledge of Allegiance together, led by Principal Marie Pisicchio. She asked children to remember both those who lost their lives and the heroes who committed extraordinary acts of bravery and courage. After a moment of silence, Suffolk County Police Officer Dan O’Callaghan played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. 

His wife is second grade teacher Colleen O’Callaghan, who later that morning read books to her class about the symbols of America. Students in all grade levels did age-appropriate activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary and learn about an event that occurred 10 to 15 years before they were born. 

Heroism was a common theme. Kindergartners read books about heroes, including doctors, firefighters and police officers, then drew pictures. Third graders read a poem about heroes, then defined the character traits of a hero. In physical education, students played hero tag. If a student was tagged, they had to sit down until begin rescued by one of the designated heroes. Once rescued, the child had to make sure to say, “Thank you.”