COMMACK SCHOOLS

AnnMarie D’Orazi and Christopher Denton’s classes extended their learning beyond the classroom on Thursday as they continued to gain appreciation for our nation’s history.

The CHS students headed to the high school’s 9/11 memorial park at the entrance to the stadium during their social studies periods.

Once there, Denton asked the students to observe the sky.

He then noted that Thursday’s blue sky with scattered clouds and mild weather was nearly identical to the day of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Denton went through the history of the high school’s 9/11 memorial, including how influential district clerk Debbie Virga was in helping secure a three-ton piece of steel for the memorial that had been part of the North Tower.

Denton read the names on the monument, all of whom died as a result of 9/11. He then explained their roles and ties to the Commack community.

He also noted that three of the trees at the high school’s memorial site — now standing tall and robust — are from saplings from a “survivor tree” that remained alive despite being in the Twin Towers’ shadows on that tragic day.

Other classes also somberly remembered the 24th anniversary of 9/11 on Thursday.

Augie Contressa, Matt Salmon and Cassie Leone’s eighth period physical education classes heard from their teachers about the tragic day. Then, the classes headed outside to try in a small way to show their appreciation for the firefighters who entered the Towers despite the peril. The students climbed up and down bleacher stairs in the stadium as a gesture of appreciation.

Sixth graders at CMS also headed outdoors. They placed flags in the ground as a sign of respect.

The community will host its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the high school’s memorial park.