Students At Montville District Elementary Honor Police Officers

None of them were alive to experience the tragedies of 9/11, but students at Woodmont Elementary School in Pine Brook still have a good idea of what work is done by law enforcement and other civil service agents. Woodmont students wanted to show their appreciation and so took time last Monday to honor New Jersey Police officers in their own 9/11 Memorial tribute.

“Patriotism is a very important quality at Woodmont Elementary School,” Principal Dominic Esposito told the students. “Today we get to honor a very special group of individuals: Our police officers.”

The Woodmont Student Council presented nine police officers, from squads throughout the state, with original art work, certificates of thanks, and thank you notes during the school's annual Patriots Day assembly. Woodmont, one of five elementary schools in the Montville Township Public Schools district, honored officers and their families with original artwork featuring the Dove of Peace painted in red, white and blue on canvas and presentations on peace, patriotism, and police officers.

“Students at Woodmont were asked: ‘What is a Police Officer?’” explained kindergarten teacher Danielle Stoveken. “And so, ‘A Police officer is…’?”

To that question, fifth-graders Grace Mesce, Brooke Terzidis, Deanna Neff, Adrianna Pressimone, Alexa Skibitsky, Jackie Cinella, Sofia Martari, Anthony Morales and GraceMarie William, each stood and provided an answer. They described a police officer as a peacemaker, a hero, and a protector.

“On behalf of all of us here, I would like to thank all of you,” said Officer Scott McGowan of the Montville Township Police Department. “We love our jobs and you guys are what make us want to come to work every day. We appreciate everything you do for us.”