By Sarah Moskowitz
As the East Rockaway High School psychologist, Morrow was prepared for a different, more substantial reaction, but in total she counted only three students who sought her help last year in the wake of Sept. 11.
"It was very strange to all of us," she said. "We expected a giant reaction and we didn't get that."
East Rockaway High School social worker Marian Abramson said last year students mainly wanted to be reassured that the people they knew were safe. Otherwise, she said, students remained composed. Morrow said students at the school handled themselves remarkably and did not get hysterical. The response did not vary with age or by grade.
"They just sort of went about their business," said Morrow. "They took it in stride."
Morrow attributes the students' calmness to the teaching staff that held discussions in their classrooms so students could verbalize their feelings about the attacks. Morrow suggested the students' behavior at East Rockaway was simply a large case of denial. She explained that adolescents have their own agenda, which revolves around a smaller, more personal scale. For example, Morrow said, the death of a teacher a few years ago produced an entirely different reaction.
"The whole school went to pieces," she said.
One year later, last Wednesday, students at area schools spent the Sept. 11 anniversary wearing red, white and blue and discussing the attacks in their social studies classes. Students watched memorial services on the televisions stationed in every classroom, which had remained off last year so students would not be continually horrified by repeated broadcasts of the Twin Towers collapsing.
Lynbrook High School student Theresa Wilvert said this year students in her school showed patriotism instead of grief or sorrow.
"Most people seemed to be going with the flow," she said. "They really weren't visibly upset."
Another Lynbrook High School student who preferred to be known only as Nicole agreed that students displayed American pride in their red, white and blue clothing and were not in mourning. Last year however, she said students were in shock and looked toward one another for support.
"Last year everyone was there for each other," said Nicole.
Jordan Richman, the school psychologist at Lynbrook North Middle School, was approached by only a handful of students for advice last year as well. He believes other students were affected but instead shared their feelings with other faculty members.
Last week Richman saw students showing support to each other. The anniversary, he explained seemed to resurrect memories and emotions for the students, especially for those directly affected. Richman said that some were sad and some were crying and he noticed fellow students holding hands and hugging.
"I think the kids helped each other," he said. "It was nice to see that."
Area schools encourage students to seek help from school psychologists, social workers and other faculty members if they need someone to talk to about the events of Sept. 11. Many students may have come to grips with the tragedy, but for others who have not, school counselors said it is never to late to seek help in overcoming ones grief.
