This November, Gurney Elementary School is coming together as a community to honor veterans, practice gratitude, and spend quality time with family. The month’s theme is: Together We Honor.
On November 10, students and staff participated in a patriotic spirit day. Everyone was encouraged to wear red, white and blue. Students also took part in a school-wide vote to choose their favorite activity to do together at Gurney. Teachers facilitated classroom discussions about the voting process and civic engagement.
To celebrate Veterans Day, classes listened to special read-alouds from staff members highlighting the service of veterans in the Chagrin community. Students also had the chance to create thank you cards and wreaths to honor veterans through the Wreaths Across America program.
Gratitude is another theme this month, with each class making a paper chain of things they are thankful for. Families are participating in a Thanksgiving Break Bingo activity with fun ways to spend time together over the holiday. The school also had opportunities to celebrate with their district and building buddy classes.
Jack Schron, a veteran, former school board member, Chagrin alum, father, and grandfather to Gurney students, was recorded reading a book about veterans for families to view together.
Principal Rachel Jones and Senor, her therapy dog, also recorded a video reading a story, “Tuesday Tucks Me In,” about a veteran and his therapy dog.
By coming together in new ways, the Gurney community is building connections and reminding students of the values that bind us - service, democracy, gratitude and family. Special thanks to this year’s “Theme Team” for planning another month of wonderful activities for the Chagrin school community.
