Area schools plot out alternative plans for Veterans Day recognition

This year, Veterans Day is Nov. 11. Though the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for local schools to carry out their usual activities honoring the occasion, some still plan to celebrate.

In Jamestown, the school still plans to host an in-person assembly honoring veterans. The school is working to organize the event with COVID-19 safety measures in mind, including assembling chairs for all veterans and their family members in pods to allow for social distancing, and everyone who plans to attend must RSVP to the school by Nov. 9 by contacting the school at 660-849-2141 or [email protected].

Part of the program will be a memorial honoring veterans who are no longer with us, and a slideshow with photos submitted by attendees will be played during the assembly.

Across the county, other schools' plans vary as they navigate the effects of COVID-19. California Elementary School will be celebrating Veterans Day in its classrooms but will not be do anything as a group. Students will be reading books that celebrate veterans as well as writing thank you cards to some veterans.

California Middle School has decided not to host a Veterans Day event this year due to the current restrictions on assemblies and the health concerns associated with bringing veterans into the buildings. The CMS Student Council has been discussing other options to still somehow acknowledge veterans through mailings or social media, but nothing has been decided yet.

High Point is doing a virtual Veterans Day and will be handing out two quilts to veterans in front of the school by the memorial.

Prairie Home will be doing most of its celebrating virtually, but will still try to do as much recognition as possible. A speaker will be recording their speech to put in a video the school is creating.