Northport k8 school integrates lesson of the survivors tree

Northport K-8 School fifth grade students in Melanie Polascak’s class learned a valuable lesson on survival and how to flourish through a tragedy while learning about the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Mrs. Polascak integrated visual information using video clips of the original World Trade Center prior to 9/11 and of the Ground Zero Memorial, comparing and contrasting the scenes. The class noted the story of “The Survivor Tree” which sustained extensive damage during the attacks. The original tree, a callery pear tree, has been replanted at the Ground Zero Memorial for all to enjoy and learn the story of nature’s lone survivor. The eight foot tall tree, standing among a throng of white oak trees is a symbol of hope, peace, freedom and survival. The children then constructed a quilt with hand drawn pictures and words to symbolize their internal feelings about the story of the survivor tree. Student, Isai Quinones, wrote on his quilt, “Like a soldier, the tree wouldn’t back down!” Pictured are Mrs. Polascak and her fifth grade class.