Morrison Elementary School welcomed parents, students, and community partners to its third annual Flag Day Celebration, held on Thursday, Feb. 26. Morrison, a California Distinguished School, celebrates the day in an effort to increase awareness and educate children about the importance of patriotism.

The event is sponsored by the Lions Club of Norwalk, which has been hosting the event at Morrison annually since 2013. While national Flag Day is observed on June 14, the Lions opt celebrate it when children are in school.

“We are so proud and excited to be here. This is our third year with Morrison. They do a fantastic job planning this day. This is our model school and we hope to take it to other schools in the community to educate
children about patriotism and the American Flag,” said Dora Sandoval, co-chairwoman of the Lions Club Education Committee.

Minutes before the ceremony began, Morrison Principal Rudy González stood on the Tigers’ blacktop, greeting parents and sharing friendly fist-pumps with students as they walked in a single-file line to their seats.

“Our students have been practicing and rehearsing with their music teachers to ensure another successful Flag Day,” González said. “I am so proud of our students and thankful for supportive parents and a staff that is committed to providing outstanding service.”

Dressed in red, white and blue-themed clothing, each of the 700 students was handed a miniature American flag by parent volunteers while Morrison teacher Steve Freck performed a piano prelude for the audience.

A presentation of colors was led by students from Southeast Academy, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s military and law enforcement high school. With right hands placed over their hearts, the audience stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance in unison.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Corvallis Middle School band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” amid an ocean of American flags waving enthusiastically in the air.

“Flag Day at Morrison truly underscores the importance of teaching our children to be proud of the country we live in and the opportunities that we enjoy here,” said Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Interim Superintendent Ginger Shattuck. “By celebrating America, we’re also promoting the value to students that they can achieve their dreams.”

Additional highlights from the event include a recorder rendition of the songs “America” and “Yankee Doodle” by the fourth-graders and the presentation of flags to the first and fourth-grade by fifth-grade students.

Morrison’s first-grade class, which at 140 students constitutes the school’s largest grade, was the final performer of the event, closing with a patriotic medley while donning skimmer hats.

Attendance of Morrison’s Flag Day ceremony continues to increase with each annual event. Estimated attendance for Thursday’s program was about 850, including students, parents and community members.

“The success of this event demonstrates just how effective collaborative and participatory programming can be for our students,” said Jesse Urquidi, president of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s Board of Education. “I am looking forward to the continued growth of this annual event.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

FLAGDAY1: Students at Morrison Elementary School hosted their third annual Flag Day celebration on Feb. 26.

FLAGDAY2: The annual Flag Day event at Morrison Elementary seeks to teach students about the importance of patriotism and the significance of the American flag.