Marine returns from Afghanistan, surprises sister at Longwood
About 75 sixth grade students gathered in Longwood Middle School’s library for what they thought would be their last Skype session with Lt. Rebecca Burgess, sister of sixth grader Katie McCabe and a Marine who has served in Afghanistan for the past seven months.
Rebecca appeared on the screen smiling, her blonde hair swept up in a tight bun. She began to tell the students she left the Middle East and arrived safely at her base in California.
All of a sudden, the screen went black. School teachers announced they encountered technical difficulties, derailing their last Skype session.
Teachers fiddled with a computer when a group of students whipped out percussion instruments in the corner and began playing a drumroll.
Ms. Burgess walked into the room in her military uniform, all smiles, and glanced around the room at 75 shocked faces.
Her sister, Katie, walked to her, glassy-eyed, and the two hugged for the first time in seven months.
“I was so surprised,” Katie said. “I was speechless.”
Michael MacKenzie decided his sixth grade class would talk to Ms. Burgess via Skype to give Katie an opportunity to regularly see her sister and to teach his students about Afghanistan.
Students researched Afghani government, food and culture, and asked Ms. Burgess questions during their Skype sessions. They also asked about the war and life for troops in Afghanistan.
“What better way to teach them there’s still a war going on, there are still people putting themselves in harms way,” Mr. MacKenzie said. “This gives them a real view of what’s happening in the world.
He said he also wanted students “to realize there are other people, like Rebecca’s family, putting themselves in hardship.”
Students sang patriotic songs to Ms. Burgess, who then shook each of the students’ hands and personally thanked them for putting so much effort into learning about Afghanistan.
Ms. Burgess said upon seeing her little sister for the first time since she arrived home, he felt “an indescribable feeling.”
“[Katie] was surprised, there were tears in her eyes,” she said “It was so special to me.”
Ms. Burgess, who went to Longwood Middle School but graduated from West Islip School District, worked as a public affairs officer for a logistics group while in Afghanistan. She’s home for the next four days, and will then go back to her base in California. A second tour to the Middle East is possible in 2012.
Longwood School District - News
But now with the poor economy and falling revenues, the district cannot afford to staff and maintain all of its schools. Already, officials are closing Longwood Elementary as a cost-saving measure and may shutter others as well.
Ms. Burgess, who went to Longwood Middle School but graduated from West Islip School District, worked as a public affairs officer for a logistics group while in Afghanistan. She's home for the next four days, and will then go back to her base in
"The only school that had to move students was Winter Springs, who had to move 71 students to Layer." Existing students at Winter Springs Elementary who are rezoned to a new school district will have some options, though.
Mrs. Wilkins retired from the Westmoreland County school district, where she worked as a school nurse from 1972 to 1991. Prior to that, she worked as a public health nurse in King George County for four years. She graduated from the University of
15539 Forest Creek Farms is in the Forest Creek Farms subdivision, 2.5 miles from Longwood Golf Course, 3.5 miles from Dyess Park and 3.6 miles from the Cypress Towne Center. The home is in the Cypress-Fairbanks School District.
Marine returns from Afghanistan, surprises sister at Longwood ...
About 75 sixth grade students gathered in Longwood Middle School’s library for what they thought would be their last Skype session with Lt. Rebecca Burgess, sister of sixth grader Katie McCabe and a Marine who has served in Afghanistan for the past seven months.
Rebecca appeared on the screen smiling, her blonde hair swept up in a tight bun. She began to tell the students she left the Middle East and arrived safely at her base in California.
All of a sudden, the screen went black. School teachers announced they encountered technical difficulties, derailing their last Skype session.
Teachers fiddled with a computer when a group of students whipped out percussion instruments in the corner and began playing a drumroll.
Ms. Burgess walked into the room in her military uniform, all smiles, and glanced around the room at 75 shocked faces.
Her sister, Katie, walked to her, glassy-eyed, and the two hugged for the first time in seven months.
“I was so surprised,” Katie said. “I was speechless.”
Michael MacKenzie decided his sixth grade class would talk to Ms. Burgess via Skype to give Katie an opportunity to regularly see her sister and to teach his students about Afghanistan.
Students researched Afghani government, food and culture, and asked Ms. Burgess questions during their Skype sessions. They also asked about the war and life for troops in Afghanistan.
“What better way to teach them there’s still a war going on, there are still people putting themselves in harms way,” Mr. MacKenzie said. “This gives them a real view of what’s happening in the world.
He said he also wanted students “to realize there are other people, like Rebecca’s family, putting themselves in hardship.”
Students sang patriotic songs to Ms. Burgess, who then shook each of the students’ hands and personally thanked them for putting so much effort into learning about Afghanistan.
Ms. Burgess said upon seeing her little sister for the first time since she arrived home, he felt “an indescribable feeling.”
“[Katie] was surprised, there were tears in her eyes,” she said “It was so special to me.”
Ms. Burgess, who went to Longwood Middle School but graduated from West Islip School District, worked as a public affairs officer for a logistics group while in Afghanistan. She’s home for the next four days, and will then go back to her base in California. A second tour to the Middle East is possible in 2012.
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CUSTER COUNTY, LONGWOOD SCHOOL, District No. 6 May 16, 1930 Submitted by Margaret Bader Teachers: Esther M. CASSEL, Mrs. Arvilla ROTEN School Boarc: WB Matt ...School law bulletin
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Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the board of education of the Longwood central school district shall transfer any such additional aid ...Daily Note Directory
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Longwood School District - Middle Island, NY
Longwood Central School District Board of Education is the official ... Longwood holds dear their beliefs that all children can learn, the district's success is ...