Paretnership in Patriotism - Lockport Journal Articles





Partnership in Patriotism

Lockport Journal Articles



The articles below were taken from the archives of the Lockport Journal....


Program is step above the rest

By Tim Marren / Lockport Journal

Character Education is being touted as part of a new standard that will be taught by the teachers of today to the leaders of tomorrow.

Fortunately for the residents of Lockport, required elements of the program have been a part of the district curriculum for years.

Partnership in Patriotism, created by retired district teacher and current Board of Education member Renee Knight, has taught the values of respect, responsibility, honesty, humility and patriotism -- now being mandated by the state under the Character Education title.

The program is now being recognized by the Academy for Character Education in Troy.

"I am excited to be able to do this," Knight said. "This gives other districts the opportunity to use our program in their classrooms."

Knight has been asked to present the topic she literally wrote the book on and discuss how the program has been successful for so many years.

Student volunteer participants help honor veterans by reciting famous poetry as part of Lockport's annual Veterans Day ceremony at Outwater Park.

Knight said the program has not only increased student involvement, but community attendance at the ceremony.

Superintendent Bruce Fraser said Knight's presentation is a great opportunity for the district to show off something it has been doing for some time.

"We are honored that Mrs. Knight was invited to go again this year," Fraser said at a recent Board of Education meeting. "With the partnership we have with the American Legion to promote veterans, this is a great program for other districts to find out about."

Knight created the instructional materials that teach Lockport's children the importance of patriotism at an early age -- just one part of the whole Character Education program.

The Partnership in Patriotism program started in Knight's own classroom, but now has turned into an intergenerational community-based coalition -- a partnership with the B. Leo Dolan Post 410 of the American Legion and the women of the Barge Canal Optimist Club of Lockport.

All as a public display of thanks for veterans.

After Knight's retirement in 1999, the program became part of the district's curriculum to meet the legislative mandate.

The roots were laid when she first started teaching in 1965, when her students in Ohio asked why they had certain days off from school.

"That question started the whole thing," Knight said.




Veterans to be Honored

Partnership in Patriotism memorial set for Tuesday

By Tim Marren / Lockport Journal
November 9, 2003
The annual Partnership in Patriotism public display of thanks for veterans once again will take place Tuesday. Renee A. Knight, chairperson of Partnership in Patriotism, said everyone from students to seniors will gather at Outwater Park to honor those who served and sacrificed their lives for freedom. The tribute begins at 11a.m. “Our veteran organizations give all the time.” Knight said. “They give in service, and then they come home and give some more.”

The event will consist of a recitation of R.W. Lillard’s poem “America’s Answer” by students. The Barge Canal Optimist Club’s will recite “In Flanders Fields”. It is being sponsored by the four member coalition of Partnership in Patriotism of the B. Leo Dolan Post 410 of the American Legion, the Unit 410 American Legion Auxiliary, the Barge Canal Optimist Club, and the Lockport School District.

“It’s one small way that we can say thank you,” Knight said. “It is so little of what we can do and it means so much to these people. If we have a day off from school, we need to know why. This teaches the children exactly why.”

Knight said the students that participate range from fifth to twelfth grade.

Board of Education President W. Keith McNall has helped with the Veterans Day programs for years, but said the Partnership in Patriotism program is in a league of its own.

“All of the efforts will be appreciated by all who realize the importance of this day,” McNall said. “It’s a day where those who sacrificed for us should be recognized in every way possible.”

Knight, a board of education member, created Partnership in Patriotism and the district has used the program to teach the values of respect, responsibility, honesty, humility and patriotism – now being mandated by the state under the Character Education title.

McNall said he hopes the program will continue for many years to come.

Knight said the event has not only increased student involvement, but community attendance at the ceremony.




Veterans honored

By Tim Marren / Lockport Journal
November 12
It seems patriotism can break all boundaries -- especially in a time of war and on a cold, gloomy November afternoon
More than 200 people turned out Tuesday at Outwater Park for the annual Partnership in Patriotism Veterans Day ceremony that honors all veterans.

Members of the B. Leo Dolan Post 410 of the American Legion, Unit 410 American Legion Auxiliary, Barge Canal Optimist Club, the Lockport school district -- all members of the partnership -- and the local community braved the blustery cold weather to recognize the importance of veterans.

A 10-member color guard and firing squad opened the ceremony for eight veteran speakers that spoke of America's history in conflict and the importance of the day formerly known as Armistice Day that ended World War I in 1918.

Following the speech, dozens of students, along with parents and members of the Optimist Club, recited "In Flanders Fields." Shots rattled through the brisk air with "Taps" and a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace" following.

Jillian Ferris, a senior at Lockport High School, has been involved in the ceremony for three years. A recitation coach for the small children, Ferris, 17, said her level of involvement has increased each year.



Visit the Lockport Journal website at:LockportJournal.com






Samples of our Related Activities ** Slide Show ** Lockport Journal Articles ** WWII Memorial Society Newsletter Article

Coalition Members Information ** A Different Type of Veteran ** Patriotic Songs ** Games Page ** Create Your Own Fireworks Show!