Flag Day isn’t just about the fanfare, parade or music for the kids at Riley Avenue Elementary School; it’s about education.
Riley Avenue School held its annual Flag Day parade and music performance Friday afternoon, but the real importance of the celebration lies in its preparation, according to Riley Avenue School principal David Enos.
“It’s not only about the patriotic piece, and not only are [the kids] enjoying themselves in red, white and blue, but they’re also learning facts about the history of our county,” Enos said. “So this is social studies and integrated English language arts.”
The celebration begins with a parade around the school parking lot, students donned in all things patriotic and waving flags as they pass by parents on the sidewalk. The students then make their way inside the gymnasium for choir performances and student readings of their “What the Flag Means to Me” essays.
“You don’t start training kids to be good citizens in high school,” Enos said. “That’s too late. We want to do it now.”
“[The celebration is] a highlight of the year,” Enos added.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
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