Happy Veterans Day!
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I, the war to end all wars, came to an end. History tells us that this was not the last war, as our country has since endured numerous wars, operations, conflicts and other military operations. The 11th of November would later be known as Armistice Day and after that as Veterans Day, a national holiday declared in 1954.
The question has been posed to some board members and staff of the district “Why do we have school on Veterans Day?” Scheduling school on Veterans Day is no slight to the great men and woman who have served and are serving our country. In fact, it is our intent to use Veterans Day to educate our students and honor our veterans. The high school student council has prepared a video that will be shown to the high school in honor of our veterans. The grade school teachers will take time to teach our students about Veterans Day and the sacrifice those in our armed forces make to ensure our freedom. Both buildings will observe a moment of silence in honor of our fallen veterans. Our purpose in having a half day of school on Veterans Day is twofold; it allows us to educate and honor veterans at school and it allows our students to spend the afternoon with family to reflect on the day at a personal level.
Please know the Board of Education, administration, staff and students of MPCUSD23 are grateful for all that our armed forces do and have done. We fervently pay respect to those who have passed and gave their lives so we may know freedom. We honor all veterans for their sacrifice, valor and love for our country. Thank you all for keeping us safe and protecting our freedoms.
Respectfully, Fred Lamkey, Mount Pulaski Superintendent