At Columbus Elementary Magnet School, students and teachers observed Sept. 11 by reading aloud the books “This Very Tree” by Sean Rubin and “Fireboat” by Maira Kalman.
“This Very Tree” is about a pear tree that stood between the Twin Towers in the 1990s. The tree provided shade for people and a home for birds. On September 11, the tree was buried beneath rubble. In the weeks that followed, Ground Zero workers clearing the debris discovered that the tree had survived. It was then dubbed the “Survivor Tree” and moved to the Bronx to recover before later being moved back and re-planted at the 9/11 Memorial. “This Very Tree” is a story of community, resilience, and renewal.
“Fireboat” is the story of the John J. Harvey, a retired fireboat that helped fight the fires at Ground Zero on September 11. When fire hydrants at Ground Zero were rendered inoperable, the New York City Fire Department called on the Harvey for help. The boat’s volunteer crew pumped water from the Hudson River to help fight fires at the site. It is a heroic and uplifting story of the vitality of a retired ship and its crew.
“The books help students not only understand the extraordinary, tragic events in our history, but also learn about the immense love and unity the country felt afterward,” said fifth grade teacher Antoinette Koehler. “As educators, we understand the importance of teaching students about that fateful day but also the resilience of our nation in the days afterward.”
To mark the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, Columbus fifth grade students created a “tree of hope.” Each student wrote what they hoped for people directly affected by 9/11 or for the world. Here are some of the grade 5 students’ messages:
“My hope for you is that you never give up and be positive.”
“I hope everyone is happy.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you. Don’t let sadness surround you.”
“I hope that tree is still growing.”
“I hope that the people who lost their life will be remembered, and remember them as an honor.”