You're a Grand Old Flag, you're a high flying flag!...

The sounds of that grand old tune by George M. Cohan float through the rooms of Hazel Drive Early Childhood Center each day. From the big flag waving on our flagpole field outside the school, to the little flags held by little hands during our patriotic parades, the American flag is an important part of our daily life at Hazel Drive and a focal point of our teaching and learning. Here are a few stories to illustrate:

Old Glory/ New Glory

Once upon a time, Miss Laura and Miss Gloria dreamed of having a school. Mr. Fix-It built a school for Miss Laura and Miss Gloria. We called it "Hazel Drive Early Childhood Center."  Mr. Fix-It said, "A school has to have an American flag flying outside." So we bought a tall, tall flag pole and a big American flag for our school. Every morning one of our Early Birds helps to raise the flag. The flag is attached to a rope with two hooks. The two hooks go into two grommets. The flag helper pulls the rope down, hand-over-hand, hand-over-hand. The rope is pulled down and up, up, up goes the flag. When the flag is at the top, Miss Laura ties off the rope on a cleat so it stays at the top of the flag pole all day long. When the day is over, the rope is untied and the flag is slowly lowered. The flag turns from a rectangle into a triangle as it is folded up, and ready for the next day. Good night, flag!

The Pledge of Allegiance

Every day at Hazel Drive, every child and every teacher participates in the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone is taught to stand up, put hands on hearts, look at the flag and say the words of the Pledge. This takes place during our daily Circle Times, but the components of the practice are unique to each room. Read on!

Little Bunnies and Cottontails:

The Little Bunnies and Cottontails are our youngest children. They learn about the colors of the American flag. They know the star shape and learn about the pattern we call "stripes." Every day, after singing "Hi, Hello" and our Hazel Drive school song, the children know it's time to look at the flag. We look for stars. We look for stripes. We look for things that are red, white and blue. Sometimes the children have these shapes, patterns or colors on their clothing. But when we see the American flag, we know we have found the exact thing we were looking for! Miss Cathy holds up the name of the flag helper. The flag helper holds the bigger American flag and says, "Please stand." (Sometimes Miss Cathy helps say it if the helper is a little bit shy to speak up - but everybody loves to be the flag helper!) The children ALL stand up for the flag! Most of them put their hands on their hearts (If you have a heart on your shirt, it's easy to find!), but sometimes they put their hands on their tummies or necks! We quietly help them to find the right spot and also the right hand! Most of the children can already say the words of the Pledge very nicely, too. Great job, kids! 

Then each child is given a small American flag, the piano music begins and strong, little legs begin to march. The parade goes around and around the room as the children sing their songs about America. All we need are the baton twirlers, a brass band and a few fire trucks, and it would be almost like a real parade!! What a grand parade!

Big Hoppers:

As part of their Circle Time routine, the Big Hoppers stand in a straight line with their names on the floor in front of them. The helper of the day gives a small American flag to each child. The child says "Thank you" and the helper says "You're welcome." When everyone has a flag in his left hand, they put their right hands over their hearts and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Miss Laura plays her guitar while the children sing. The Big Hoppers do an energetic and engaging rendition of "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "God Bless America!" After the inspired singing, the helper collects the flags, saying "Thank you," to which his classmates reply, "You're welcome!"

Wascally Wabbits:

Our oldest children do many of their own jobs, and one of their many helpers is the Flag Bearer. During their Circle Time, this helper says, "Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance." All stand, place their hands on their hearts and recite the Pledge with reverence. This is followed by an a cappella rendition of patriotic songs which includes the amazing "The United States," in which the children sing every single state name! Can YOU do that???

Patriotic Medley

Each month the Little Bunnies and Cottontails learn a new song about our flag or country. In September we started with "You're a Grand Old Flag," and in October we added "God Bless America."   The children sing and wave their flags as they march. By the time spring arrives, the children will have a repertoire of songs that include "Let's Hear It for America," "Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue," "Hooray for Mr. Lincoln! Hooray for Mr. Washington!" "The Big American Hello" and "This Land is Your Land!"

Hazel the Rabbit Meets the Air Force Pilots

One of our dads is a pilot in the Air National Guard in addition to being a commercial pilot. Last spring he asked if there were some token or symbol of Hazel Drive that could be brought along on one of their missions. What better symbol of our school than Hazel the Rabbit herself! Since she was not available to leave her duty as our official greeter in front of our school building, a poster was made from her photograph. Hazel is shown here posing with the crew on the KC-135 that they flew. We're told she has a permanent home in the “tee box,” the place where the pilots gather together before their flights.                 What an honor!

At the start of this school year, Hazel Drive was given a very special gift: An American flag that was aboard on a mission in the Middle East, an aerial refueling over Syria and Iraq. We're so proud of and grateful to the brave men and women who venture out into this dangerous world to help keep us safe here at home. The special role of their families must be acknowledged as well, for their sacrifice and courage.

Hip, Hip, HOORAY!