NK Schools to honor 9/11 victims

POULSBO — North Kitsap schools’ commemoration of Sept. 11, 2001 will be more low-key this year.

While each school will remember the victims of the terrorist attacks of that date in its own way, none has planned the extensive ceremonies that some students and staff held last year. The district’s schools haven’t coordinated the memorials with each other, but most principals say that a moment of silence, as well as a few other events, will mark the day on Thursday.

“It’s scaled back a little bit. Another year has passed and there’s so much going on,” said Poulsbo Junior High Principal Tony Bainbridge.

Poulsbo Junior High will hold a moment of silence.

Administrators also purposefully planned a spirit day for Thursday and are encouraging students to wear red, white and blue.

Bainbridge said he thinks the memorials will be more low-key but he knows the date is not forgotten.

“I don’t think it’s something kids are going to forget. They’re cognizant and there’s still a lot of emotion,” he said.

The district received a letter from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which suggested guidelines for districts’ memorials of Sept. 11, suggesting flags flown at half-mast and a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. (The attack on the World Trade Center occurred at 8:46 a.m. EST, which would be too early for schools to commemorate.)

At the high school, a moment of silence will be observed, and ASB members will hand out red, white and blue ribbons for students to wear throughout the day.

At Vinland Elementary, students can wear those colors or their uniforms.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.