When the first Remembrance Bowl in the United States begins at Fred Smith Field at Locust Valley High School on Sept. 22, students from kindergarten to 12th grade in attendance will have a better appreciation for the bravery of Allied soldiers at D-Day nearly 80 years ago. History teachers in the Locust Valley Central School District worked all summer to prepare an age-appropriate unit for each grade level to be taught the week before the game. That unit will focus on the World War II, events of D-Day and how the Allies liberated Europe and Locust Valley’s sister city of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France.
“It is with great pride that I am able to be part of the collaborative efforts of Locust Valley teachers and the community with developing and aligning curriculum to assist our students to understand the historical significance surrounding the events that took place on D-Day,” Superintendent of Schools Kristen Turnow said. “I believe that we are paving the way for other school districts throughout the country to follow in our footsteps to remember how the brave soldiers of our great nation have defended the very freedom that we are blessed with today.”
The unit will be the starting point for school districts throughout the country to build off of when they decide to bring the Remembrance Bowl to their communities.
“The Remembrance Project curriculum project has been such a rewarding experience, as it allowed for a great deal of cross-curricular collaboration,” Interim Coordinator of Social Studies and Business, Joe Enea said. “Having the curriculum reach a national audience helps to ensure that both the impact of the Normandy invasion and the stories of the men and women who dedicated their lives to our freedom will never be forgotten.”