UPDATED: Middle School Kids Memorialize 9/11 With Wreaths

This article, submitted by the middle school principal, was first posted on Friday. Here are some additional photographs that the principal sent us after the kids had assembled the memorials later on Friday.

Although the oldest of our students were four and others were not even born yet, the staff and students from took time this week to stop and honor the victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. 

As the tenth anniversary approaches, teachers spoke with students about the events of September 11, 2001 and explored the idea of freedom and what it means to us today. 

Students then took red, white and blue paper and made a tracing of their hands.  Written along the fingers of each hand are the names of victims who lost their lives. 

Students then made drawings or created symbols depicting what freedom means to them on the palm.  The cut-out hands were attached to wreaths to create Freedom Wreaths. 

“We wanted to do something special to recognize the 10th anniversary and to raise students’ awareness of the impact that was made on so many families and honor the victims that lost their lives,” said Ralph Watson, principal of Swampscott Middle School.  

“We know that our students will hear things on the news this weekend about the events of that day and we wanted to explain what happened and answer questions they might have in a learning community where they would feel safe," he said. "It is a tough anniversary for many people. As I printed the list of the names of the close to 3,000 victims, I found myself reflecting on how powerful this anniversary is.”

The Middle School wants to share this project and create a place the community can go and pay their respects.  

The Freedom Wreaths will be displayed along the beach walk between Red Rock Bistro and the entering Swampscott sign over this coming weekend. 

We hope the community will take time to view the wreaths and reflect on what freedom means to them.