Students across the Tristate crowded around television sets Tuesday, watching in disbelief as the most unimaginable history lesson unfolded before their eyes.

        At Seven Hills Upper School in Madisonville, a few students cupped their hands over their mouths and cried. Most eyes were fixed on the screen; some looked downward as news anchor Dan Rather delivered the grim news.

        “I'm dumbfounded,” said Mark Hines, an 18-year-old Seven Hills senior from Anderson Township. “I have not been alive to witness a tragedy this large. It's unspeakable.”

Seven Hills Upper School students crowd into the school library to watch the events of Tuesday morning on TV. (Dick Swaim photo) | ZOOM |

        At Fairfield Senior High School, Principal Monica Mitter announced that teachers could turn on televisions in the classrooms.

        “This is a terrible situation, but it is a historic situation,” she said. “This is a teachable moment, horrible as it is.”

        Most Tristate schools remained in session all day, but some districts, including Cincinnati Public Schools, West Clermont and Dayton, Ohio, allowed children to leave early if accompanied by a parent.

        West Clermont Superintendent Michael Ward sent a letter home with students, encouraging parents to reassure their children that they are safe. He also explained why students were not dismissed early.

        “Some children do not have someone at home to meet them, and many children do not have someone at home who can comfort them in this time of crisis,” he wrote. “I am concerned that children would go home and watch this on television and have no one to support them.”

        Two Tristate schools dismissed early as a precaution — Yavneh Day School in Kenwood and the International Academy of Cincinnati at the new Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester Township.

Bellevue High student Dru Woodard (right) and others lower the flag at the school to half-staff after the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        Dozens of schools canceled afternoon and evening activities because of the national emergency.

        “Local police agencies assure the district that the schools are safe, but in light of the terrible nature of this world tragedy, it is important that families be together tonight to deal with the emotional ramifications of such a disaster,” said Valerie Miller, communications coordinator for the Milford Exempted Village School District.

        Many districts encouraged high school students to watch television and discuss the event but others kept information at a minimum for younger children.

        Cincinnati schools left it up to principals to decide whether to allow students to watch TV coverage, spokeswoman Jan Leslie said, but faculty and staff were prepared to address childrens' anxieties.

        JoAnne Friedmann-Cuddy, who teaches fifth- and sixth-grade math at South Avondale School, said teachers told older students about the terrorist attacks at the end of the day.

        “The basic thrust was just continue the day as normal as possible, and we did. It was business as usual. At the end of the day we reassured them that they were safe. We told them if they have any questions, concerns or fears about what they see on TV we will talk about it in class.”

        Across the Tristate, teachers and students struggled to understand how this country could come under attack. The news taught powerful lessons to students and teachers, some of whom had friends and relatives who worked at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

        “I had this vision that nobody can mess with us,” said Daniel Kalubi, a 17-year-old Seven Hills senior. “You see how fragile it is. You spend all this money on defense, and planes crash into our facilities. It's out of place.”

        At Lakota East High School, Deborah Miller, 17, of Liberty Township, said, “I'm terrified. America has always been strong, the protector. We've never been attacked in (my) lifetime.”

        Fairfield and Lakota schools put counselors on alert and available to talk with students or staff who were overwhelmed or who had loved ones near the attack sites.

        It seemed that no one was left unaffected by the tragedy.

        “It certainly makes me uneasy now,” said Mr. Hines of Seven Hills. “In two weeks, I'm taking a flight to New Orleans. Now, I'm even afraid to fly.”

        And, teachers fielded questions that they couldn't answer.

        “The big question is: Who would hate us so much?” said Kym Wilson, a social studies teacher at Bellevue High School. “Some of them are very scared, very worried.”

        The terrorist attacks became defining moments in history — along with Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination and the Challenger explosion.

        “This is far worse than the day Kennedy was shot,” said Jack White, a Seven Hills English teacher and dean of students.

        “I remember that. This is unspeakable. I was here when the Challenger blew up, but people were talking about it. This is so bad they're silent.”
        At Lakota East High School, 16-year-old Sara Thomas of West Chester Township said, “It's a momentous thing. It's going to define our generation. Sept. 11. It's going to be a huge date forever. ... We can't let this pass like a normal day.”

       Sue Kiesewetter, Lori Hayes and Ben L. Kaufman contributed to this report.
       
       

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