Merrick schools mark Sept. 11

Cindy Davidowitz had just begun her assignment as Chatterton Elementary School’s assistant principal a week earlier when terrorists slammed two hijacked jetliners into the World Trade Center, killing nearly 3,000 innocent civilians, including 15 Merokeans, on Sept. 11, 2001.

The day was trying for Davidowitz, who is now Chatterton’s principal. The administration was responsible for informing staff that tragedy had struck while ensuring that students were safe. That afternoon, faculty members, including Davidowitz, followed buses to make sure that every student went home to a caregiver.

The coming weeks were trying for Chatterton, which lost parents in the 9/11 attacks. There was overwhelming sorrow and fear to cope with. Davidowitz, though, said the school community pulled together –– and survived.

On Friday, two days before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Davidowitz led a solemn ceremony on the field behind Chatterton Elementary School to remember all that was lost a decade ago, while assuring the children that it was OK to ask any questions they had about 9/11.

The children stood silently for much of the ceremony. They recited the pledge of allegiance and sang “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” accompanied by band members. And then Davidowitz spoke.

“As we approach the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, we do think of the loss and the devastation that took place,” said Davidowitz, herself a Merrick resident who was a teacher in the district for 20 years before becoming Chatterton’s assistant principal in 2001. “But we also focus on how our nation came together and how we became stronger as a nation. We continue to hold our foundation through empathy, caring and a tremendous sense of community.

“We’re proud of our nation,” Davidowitz continued. “We’re proud to be American. We’re proud to be Chatterton.”

Schools throughout Merrick and North Merrick held similar ceremonies on Friday.

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