Sacred Heart Catholic School

SALISBURY — Sacred Heart Catholic School held special activities for students to remember Sept. 11 and all the heroes and helpers in their lives.

Using a quote from Fred Rogers about looking for those who help in disasters, teachers hoped to inspire students to be community helpers and heroes.

“We do not want this day to be scary to our younger students with terrifying images of airplanes and burning buildings, but a day to talk about being a hero or helper in our family, school and community at large,” said Erin Brinkley, dean of students. “Of course, our older students will have more opportunities to understand the depth of this day in American history by viewing several documentaries and published short movies. As always, community service is an enormous daily lesson at Sacred Heart, remembering always that we are to help our neighbors.”

During a morning assembly, Sacred Heart welcomed Carol Dellinger, who has a nearly 50-year history working as a first responder.

She currently works in the Salisbury Fire Department’s training division, teaching first aid and CPR rescue in the most serious of trauma circumstances. Almost 80 years old, Dellinger still holds paramedic and firefighter certifications.

“I am so blessed to have worked this long and still be able to work,” Dellinger said. “I must give credit always to the Lord and to the entire team of trained professionals that are needed in a life-saving emergency. We just don’t ever give up — so many blessings bestowed upon my team, lives we saved. I want these students to know that all of your policemen, firefighters, first responders, paramedics. Don’t ever be afraid of them. They have dedicated their lives to help you.”

Middle school students came together to pray a patriotic rosary in honor of Patriot Day and to show respect for those who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks and those who are still suffering as a result of that fateful day.

Michelle Maher, the middle school language arts and religion teacher, helped organized the prayer time.

“During this rosary, our students prayed for each of the 50 states, for our national and local government leaders, and for the conversion of our country from secular ways to the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Maher. “Interspersed throughout our prayers, our students also heard quotes from great Americans such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Jedediah Morse and sang several patriotic songs.”

Older elementary students watched “The Man in Red Bandana,” a documentary about American hero Welles Remy Crowther. Crowther worked on the 104th floor of the South Tower and saved many people on Sept. 11. Crowther died that day, but his heroics became known eight months later as a result of an ordinary item — a red bandana. Other older classes watched the CNN10 documentaries on Sept. 11.

Younger elementary students also took part in the Sept. 11 remembrance day.

“They are never too young to learn about being a helper,” said Susan Harrison, prekindergarten and kindergarten teacher. “We can teach our children that there are some very sad times in life when terrible things happen, but always with a hug and reassurance that they are loved. But then take that lesson and transform it into being a good neighbor, a great helper, and a community hero. That is how you can change the world, one child at a time.”