Fwd: Students in the cold today (Sharing of a Special Day with the Broader Community)
The Sean Lyerly Memorial Account
Acct # 5206859
First Command Bank
4100 Hulen St.
Ft. Worth, TX 76109
Steve Fuller <Steve.Fuller@pflugervilleisd.net> wrote:
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:34:47 -0600
From: "Steve Fuller" <Steve.Fuller@pflugervilleisd.net>
Subject: Students in the cold today
To: rodreyna@sbcglobal.net
CC: "Brim, Amanda" <Amanda.Brim@pflugervilleisd.net>,
"Dupre, Charles"
<Charles.Dupre@pflugervilleisd.net>,
"Eaton, Terrence"
<Terrence.Eaton@pflugervilleisd.net>,
"Reese, Randy"
Randy.Reese@pflugervilleisd.net
About 25 students in Mr. Gross's Fourth Period class had to be outside today for an extended period of time, but for a good reason. Please read the attached letter in order to understand.
Thank you,
SF
~~~~~~~~~~Dear Parent,Your child got to participate in an important, but unexpected ceremony today that required his/her being outside for over an hour. I sincerely apologize if he/she suffers any ill effects from this, but perhaps the following explanation will help to mitigate the circumstances.Captain Sean Lyerly, a US Soldier killed in Iraq last week , was the college roommate of Mr. Ryan Gross, Science Teacher here at Park Crest. Capt. Lyerly's funeral was held at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, next door to Park Crest, today. It was scheduled to begin at noon. At about 11:30 a.m., it was suggested that the entire student body stand outside as the funeral procession passed, to show their respect. Since that was not possible, it was decided it would be a nice gesture for Mr. Gross's class to stand out in front and represent the school, so that is what we did. What we did not know was that the funeral would take an hour longer than expected, and we were afraid if we went back in, we would miss the opportunity, so we stayed outside.Upon returning to the building, we let the kids know that we appreciated their sacrifice by being out in the cold, and took the opportunity to compare their temporary discomfort with the hardships faced by our troops in Iraq and other places. We emphasized before and after that their participation today should be voluntary, and if they had religious or political objections, or thought you would, they should not go. I said their participation in no way indicated anything other than respect for an American serviceman's sacrifice, and for their teacher's friend. All were given the opportunity to stay inside, and all chose to go out. Two students were even on crutches, and they hobbled out with us. I was very proud of them all and told them I thought they had learned as much or more from that hour outside than they might have in class.The kids stood at the curb on Railroad Ave. in front of the school, at attention, holding US Flags, as the procession passed by . The first wave of vehicles consisted of VFW and other veterans' groups on motorcycles, and they were visibly moved. As the family car and the hearse passed, your kids stood respectfully. Finally, Mr. Gross's car passed, and he too, was affected by what he saw.Your kids represented us well today, showed respect for a fellow American, and hopefully are none the worse for the wear. Thank you for sending us such good citizens.Sincerely,Steve Fuller,Park Crest Principal