Veterans Elementary School Partnership Recognizes Local Veterans

November 10th, 2016

Veterans Elementary School (VES) is partnering with the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Yingling-Ridgely Post 7472 (VFW) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Yingling-Ridgely Post 7472 (VFW Auxiliary) to promote patriotism and respect for veterans’ military service to the country. The partnership will be formalized with a partnership signing at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, November 11, at Veterans Elementary School’s annual “Salute to Veterans,” 4355 Montgomery Road in Ellicott City.

Under the terms of the agreement, VES staff will work with VFW and VFW Auxiliary representatives to expose students to the sacrifices made by veterans in overseas conflicts and provide recognition for local veterans. VES will provide an annual Salute to Veterans breakfast and ceremony honoring local veterans for their military service and will conduct a Veterans Day essay contest for students in grades 3–5, with winning essays being read at the ceremony.

VFW and VFW Auxiliary representatives will participate in the annual Salute to Veterans ceremony and participate in VES simulated congressional hearings, a culminating activity for fifth grade students where students demonstrate their understanding of the U.S. Constitution. This partnership supports Vision 2018 strategies to collaborate with community partners to engender a culture of mutual respect, and provides learning experiences that promote depth of knowledge.

Howard County Board of Education Vice Chairman Ellen Flynn Giles, members Bess Altwerger, Griffin Diven and Sandra French, and Veterans Elementary School Principal Bob Bruce will join Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Yingling-Ridgely Post 7472 Commander Steve Collins and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Yingling-Ridgely Post 7472 Treasurer Judi Buehler to sign the formal partnership agreement at tomorrow’s event.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Yingling-Ridgely Post 7472 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Yingling-Ridgely Post 7472 serve United States veterans of overseas conflicts, the military, and communities; advocate on behalf of all veterans; and foster camaraderie among veterans.

The Howard County Public School System’s Partnerships Office has united schools with more than 1,000 businesses and community organizations to enhance the educational experience of Howard County students. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.

For more information, contact Partnerships Office Manager Mary Schiller at 410-313-6655 or mary_schiller@hcpss.org.