The Patriot Program in Harford County's elementary schools aims to teach students about the U.S. government and to embrace patriotism, but this year, the staff at Bel Air Elementary School took it one step further and incorporated community service.
"Our service men go and out and serve and protect. But even if people aren't in the armed forces, or a police department or other service person, they can still serve by helping out in their community, by helping someone they care for," Bel Air Elementary Principal Dyann Mack said. "We try to instill that on top of all they learn about Maryland legislation and government, et cetera, it's not just how were are governed, but Patriots have an act of service and they have a serving heart."
To become a Patriot, students must complete a set of requirements depending on their grade level. In previous years, that work was completed by students primarily at home. This year, however, Mack said, the school staff picked up the program and incorporated it into the curriculum. Each special area – art, media, music and physical education – was linked to patriotism.
"Every child at Bel Air Elementary had the opportunity to begin the Patriot Program. Some of the kids can do it because they have home support, but because we did it in-house, every child to complete at least four requirements," Mack said.
Of the 500 students at Bel Air Elementary, 240 completed the Patriot Program, and they were recognized during two recent special assemblies, both held at Bel Air High School.
Mack, in her third year as principal at Bel Air Elementary, said the school started the program with a big kickoff for just the students, and felt like they needed a big closing, with just the students.
"But because we had such an overwhelming number of kids participating and we were just so excited, we did an evening celebration as well so parents could be included as well," Mack said. "We took it up a notch for our first year."
During the evening assembly, a number of dignitaries from across the county – the school system, local government and police agencies – lined the stage at Bel Air High and each Patriot shook each one's hand and accepted their certificates.
Fifth-graders, in their last year of elementary school, received a special award because it was their last year to participate in the program.
Kristina Powell, a music teacher at the school who does reenactments, who kicked off the program as Mrs. Washington, ended it at the celebration as Mrs. Lincoln. Powell was dressed in full costume each tie.
"The kids had the opportunity to step back in time and learn about patriots," Mack said.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of an American flag by the Harford County Sheriff's Office, which Mack said came as a result of a student invited agency representatives to the program. Every Patriot received a U.S. flag patch, she said.
Embracing service
The school as a whole undertook a service project to provide shoeboxes of toys for children in Third World countries. Working with the organization Samaritan's Purse, students were invited to bring in items that children would like as gifts and would fit in shoeboxes – hair bands, school supplies, stuffed animals – and the school had a "Shoebox Night" in which they packed up the boxes to send off.
Students could also complete an individual service project, and Mack said many did both.
Among the individual projects were cleanups around Bel Air Elementary's campus, where students picked up trash or planted flowers. Some participated in some of the festivals held in Bel Air and sold items, with proceeds going to various organizations. Others did things with their Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.
Another group of students sold items with the proceeds going to the foundation created to help one of their ill classmates.
Mack said she was very pleased with their first attempt at incorporating the program into the curriculum.
"I think we were overwhelmed by the participation and we're excited by our experience," Mack said. "I think we set the bar high for ourselves and we're definitely looking forward to seeing what we can do next year."