The Reconstruction at Ground Zero
by Vera H-C Chan
Eight years later, Ground Zero remains a construction zone.
The plans for the former site of the World Trade Center, brought down hijacked planes on Sept. 11, 2001, have taken time and much input along the way to unfold. The Freedom Tower's frame—just emerging above street level now—and the transit hub won't be finished in time for the 10th anniversary, two years away. Negotiations for three office towers planned for the east have entered arbitration, and the wrangling means no firm date at all.
When the Skyline Will Change
The majority of New Yorkers, though, remain skeptical, given the "snail's pace" of reconstruction, and families of 9/11 victims have declared the slow-going "outrageous."
Still, formal tributes to America's tragedies have historically taken a long time. The Oklahoma City National Memorial's dedication took five years, but the USS Arizona Memorial's formal commemoration of World War II vets emerged 20 years after Pearl Harbor.
For its part, the Port Authority, which oversees much of the reconstruction, asserts a "new spirit" of progress: The Record details what's planned on the site, including these deadlines:
Memorial (2011)
Vehicle security center (early 2012)
Museum (early 2013)
1,776-foot-tall Freedom Tower (mid 2013)
Transportation hub the size of Grand Central Station (late 2013)
Makeshift Tributes
As people await the grand vision to rise in lower Manhattan, Ground Zero tributes do exist in one form or another. Across the street from the construction site, a foundation has set up shop—literally—to show videos and sell souvenirs to fund-raise for the museum. Online there's Project Rebirth, which is tracking the rebuilding using lapsed photography. And while few can visit Hangar 17 at JFK, the NYT hosts a panorama of its contents...and the pieces of Ground Zero await a permanent home.
Below, a quick timeline of Ground Zero construction thus far.
Ground Zero Construction Timeline
2001: NYC employees clear makeshift tributes of flowers, pictures, and candles. The first memorial service for victims' families is held Oct. 28.
2002: Shrine artifacts from Ground Zero and throughout New York form a New York Historical Society exhibit. Ideas begin to float about how to mark the site, including a memorial tomb. That summer, six possible site designs are unveiled to the public, but about 4,000 gather at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to ask for something "bolder." The process starts over again.
2003: Memorial or not, visitors pay homage at the crater. The contest comes down to two visions, and Daniel Libeskind's soaring glass spire is chosen. Another competition, this time for the World Trade Center memorial design, comes up with the reflecting pool. That winning design undergoes tinkering for months.
2005: Some politicians and 9/11 families protest the International Freedom Center, and a mediator has to be called in. On the fourth anniversary, other 9/11 relatives bemoan stalled progress.
2006: A search for a contractor to start the work finally begins, although some families of the dead sue to stop concrete from being poured over "sacred ground." Just as progress seems to happen (an impromptu steel cross created after the WTC collapse is approved), the mayor declares memorial costs too high. Fortunately, other projects proceed quickly.
2008: After getting angry reactions that a memorial wouldn't make a 10th anniversary deadline, the Port Authority vowed the waterfalls would make the date.
2009: A jumbo column juts out above street level. Delays aside, progress is now visible: Newsday documents the change in a photo gallery.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Friday's Assignment - Due September 18th
Good morning!
On Friday, September 11th, your assignment will be posted below. It will be to create an ALL About Me poster.
This poster will have a big circle in the middle of it. It will have four sections around the circle. Your name will be written at the top of the poster in large bold letters. Each of the four section will be titled with bold letters. You may choose four entries from the following titles; Summer, Family, Goals, Hobbies, Great Memories, or Words That Describe Me. Each section will have at least one photograph or one drawing. The middle circle will be entitled, Favorites. In this area you will list your favorite things. This assignment will be due September 18th. Most of this assignment will be completed at home. Today, your task will be to create the outline of your poster and list many of your favorite items. Partially completed examples are shown below (we're experiencing technical difficulties, they will taped to the chalkboard on Friday). Please outline your poster in pencil before you use a marker. You may design the poster with as much creativity as you desire, but please follow the section topics as listed. Enjoy being creative!!!
On Friday, September 11th, your assignment will be posted below. It will be to create an ALL About Me poster.
This poster will have a big circle in the middle of it. It will have four sections around the circle. Your name will be written at the top of the poster in large bold letters. Each of the four section will be titled with bold letters. You may choose four entries from the following titles; Summer, Family, Goals, Hobbies, Great Memories, or Words That Describe Me. Each section will have at least one photograph or one drawing. The middle circle will be entitled, Favorites. In this area you will list your favorite things. This assignment will be due September 18th. Most of this assignment will be completed at home. Today, your task will be to create the outline of your poster and list many of your favorite items. Partially completed examples are shown below (we're experiencing technical difficulties, they will taped to the chalkboard on Friday). Please outline your poster in pencil before you use a marker. You may design the poster with as much creativity as you desire, but please follow the section topics as listed. Enjoy being creative!!!
Thursday, September 10th
Good afternoon,
Just a reminder that we would like forms returned by Friday, September 11th, especially the Snack and Juice forms. Thank you!
Good questions to ask your child tonight would be...
What was your favorite red letter day? Hint, hint... what do you have for homework?
What three items are you going to put in your bag?
List as many of the words (names) on today's spelling pretest?
List a few of the magazines that have donated to our classroom, so far?
What did you write on your oval? triangle? rectangle?
What's due next Tuesday?
When is book checkout?
Enjoy the evening,
Mr. Krupa
P.S. If possible, bring a snack and a water bottle. Also, wear light weight clothing.... whew, it's warm inside our building!
Just a reminder that we would like forms returned by Friday, September 11th, especially the Snack and Juice forms. Thank you!
Good questions to ask your child tonight would be...
What was your favorite red letter day? Hint, hint... what do you have for homework?
What three items are you going to put in your bag?
List as many of the words (names) on today's spelling pretest?
List a few of the magazines that have donated to our classroom, so far?
What did you write on your oval? triangle? rectangle?
What's due next Tuesday?
When is book checkout?
Enjoy the evening,
Mr. Krupa
P.S. If possible, bring a snack and a water bottle. Also, wear light weight clothing.... whew, it's warm inside our building!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Snack and Juice
Snack and Juice Forms are due on Friday. Things to ask your child tonight.... Who are Dan and Arthur? Where do they live? When are Snack / Juice forms due? What's a polygon? What color is your binder? Who is Jonas?
Phy ed. on Wednesday!!!! Wear your gym shoes!
Good night!
Phy ed. on Wednesday!!!! Wear your gym shoes!
Good night!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Hello and welcome to our Blog Page!!!
It was an exciting first day!!! We filled out our Time Capsules, organized our agendas, completed a math pretest, collected our forms, and drew polygon pictures. Ask your child about our Reader's Theater!!!
Just a couple of reminders and events coming up...
Juice and Snack forms are due on Friday. Snack and Juice will begin being distributed on Monday , Sept. 14 to those students that have returned their sign up forms and payments.
Please bring a snack each day until the Snack and Juice programs officially begin.
We will be sharing President Obama's message to the students next Monday, September 14th at Jump Start. His remarks can be viewed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/ Click on 'President's remarks'.
Three Polygon Pictures are due next Tuesday.
Please sign your child's agenda, nightly.
On or about Friday, ask your child about MTB.
Thank you for filling out and returning all of those forms! I know it was a lengthy process, but very beneficial, so thank you!
I'll leave several of last year's posts on this blog so you can get an idea of how I use this technology.
Enjoy,
Mr. Krupa
It was an exciting first day!!! We filled out our Time Capsules, organized our agendas, completed a math pretest, collected our forms, and drew polygon pictures. Ask your child about our Reader's Theater!!!
Just a couple of reminders and events coming up...
Juice and Snack forms are due on Friday. Snack and Juice will begin being distributed on Monday , Sept. 14 to those students that have returned their sign up forms and payments.
Please bring a snack each day until the Snack and Juice programs officially begin.
We will be sharing President Obama's message to the students next Monday, September 14th at Jump Start. His remarks can be viewed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/ Click on 'President's remarks'.
Three Polygon Pictures are due next Tuesday.
Please sign your child's agenda, nightly.
On or about Friday, ask your child about MTB.
Thank you for filling out and returning all of those forms! I know it was a lengthy process, but very beneficial, so thank you!
I'll leave several of last year's posts on this blog so you can get an idea of how I use this technology.
Enjoy,
Mr. Krupa
Friday, May 22, 2009
Night At The Museum Part II
The movie begins at 5:40... let's pay for our tickets, buy our treats, and meet at 5:30 inside the main entrance with pop and popcorn in hand. This way we will be ready to be seated before the movie begins. See you there!!!!
There are parents that are willing to drive...see our chalkboard for their phone numbers.
There are parents that are willing to drive...see our chalkboard for their phone numbers.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Movie Event
May 12, 2009
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The fourth grade students and teachers will be offered the option of attending a showing of the movie, Night At the Museum II on Tuesday, May 26th. This is an optional activity that will require the students to generate their own transportation to and from Parkwood 18, along with locating their own chaperone. We will all be gathering at the theater and attending the showing of Night At the Museum II that is closest to 5:30 P.M. When the movie dates and times are announced on May 22nd, we will announce to the students at school what theater number and what time the movie will begin. The students will need to purchase their own tickets and treats, as this will not be considered a school-sponsored activity. We hope to see you there!
If you would like to chaperone this event and would consider driving students to and from the theater, please sign the form below and we will give your name and phone number to students so their parents may get in contact with you.
Just so we have an idea of how many students might be attending this movie on this night, we would like to have you sign below. Please return this form by Friday, May 22nd. You may still attend this event even if you do not return this form, but we would like an approximate number of students attending this event. Again, we hope to see you there!
Yes, _______________________________ will be attending the after school movie on May 26th. I will be responsible for their attendance or will find a chaperone to oversee my child.
Signed ________________________________________
Yes, I would be interested in transporting several students to and from the theater. Please post my phone number so parents may contact me about chaperoning their child.
Printed Signature ____________________________ Phone Number_________________
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The fourth grade students and teachers will be offered the option of attending a showing of the movie, Night At the Museum II on Tuesday, May 26th. This is an optional activity that will require the students to generate their own transportation to and from Parkwood 18, along with locating their own chaperone. We will all be gathering at the theater and attending the showing of Night At the Museum II that is closest to 5:30 P.M. When the movie dates and times are announced on May 22nd, we will announce to the students at school what theater number and what time the movie will begin. The students will need to purchase their own tickets and treats, as this will not be considered a school-sponsored activity. We hope to see you there!
If you would like to chaperone this event and would consider driving students to and from the theater, please sign the form below and we will give your name and phone number to students so their parents may get in contact with you.
Just so we have an idea of how many students might be attending this movie on this night, we would like to have you sign below. Please return this form by Friday, May 22nd. You may still attend this event even if you do not return this form, but we would like an approximate number of students attending this event. Again, we hope to see you there!
Yes, _______________________________ will be attending the after school movie on May 26th. I will be responsible for their attendance or will find a chaperone to oversee my child.
Signed ________________________________________
Yes, I would be interested in transporting several students to and from the theater. Please post my phone number so parents may contact me about chaperoning their child.
Printed Signature ____________________________ Phone Number_________________
Monday, May 11, 2009
Movie Night
Join us for our Fourth Grade Movie Event at Parkwood 18 on Tuesday, May 26th. We will all be watching Night At The Museum II around 5:30... more details to come.
Field Day
Field Day Wednesday from 8 - 10:30....Feel free to join us at the MIddle School Football Field for activities and games.
Friday, May 8, 2009
News From the Office
Appropriate Dress-As the weather gets warmer, it is important to monitor how our students are coming to school. We also need to be good role models of what is appropriate to wear to school. Here is what our handbook says...
Our school expectations for student dress is as follows:
No strapless shirts or spaghetti straps
All tops must appropriately cover students front and back
No bare midriffs will be tolerated. When standing in a normal posture, without altering or stretching the top, it must not reveal any midriff skin.
Unreasonably short shorts, skorts, or skirts will not be allowed.
No inappropriate or suggestive messages on clothing.
There is no exposed underclothing, bras, panties, or boxers. Pants must ride above the buttocks.
A general rule is if a student has to ask someone if ther dress is appropriate, then it is probably not appropriate to wear to school.
Week of May 11th - PTAC has designated this week as Staff Appreciation Week....stay tuned for more details!
Monday 5/11 BOGO Book Fair - Mr. Krupa's Class will view the Book Fair at 10:30
7:00 School Board Meeting
Tuesday 5/12 BOGO Book Fair
Wednesday 5/13 BOGO Book Fair
4th and 5th Grade Field Day
Thursday 5/14 MAP Testing
Alternate Field Day
Friday 5/15 MAP Testing
Our school expectations for student dress is as follows:
No strapless shirts or spaghetti straps
All tops must appropriately cover students front and back
No bare midriffs will be tolerated. When standing in a normal posture, without altering or stretching the top, it must not reveal any midriff skin.
Unreasonably short shorts, skorts, or skirts will not be allowed.
No inappropriate or suggestive messages on clothing.
There is no exposed underclothing, bras, panties, or boxers. Pants must ride above the buttocks.
A general rule is if a student has to ask someone if ther dress is appropriate, then it is probably not appropriate to wear to school.
Week of May 11th - PTAC has designated this week as Staff Appreciation Week....stay tuned for more details!
Monday 5/11 BOGO Book Fair - Mr. Krupa's Class will view the Book Fair at 10:30
7:00 School Board Meeting
Tuesday 5/12 BOGO Book Fair
Wednesday 5/13 BOGO Book Fair
4th and 5th Grade Field Day
Thursday 5/14 MAP Testing
Alternate Field Day
Friday 5/15 MAP Testing
Monday, April 27, 2009
Field Trip- Mpls.
Remember to bring a bag lunch, beverage, and appropriate attire on April 28th. Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Due Dates
The due date for the April Reading Contract is quickly approaching....Here are the due dates for a few of the assignments.
The States Project notes are due on Monday, April 27th.
The State Posters are due on Wednesday, April 29th.
The Poem Booklets are due Tuesday, April 28th.
Don't forget to be accumulating your reading minutes and AR points.
Enjoy!
The States Project notes are due on Monday, April 27th.
The State Posters are due on Wednesday, April 29th.
The Poem Booklets are due Tuesday, April 28th.
Don't forget to be accumulating your reading minutes and AR points.
Enjoy!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Chaperones
Please return your chaperone form by Wednesday, April 22nd to be eligible for our drawing to attend our field trip to Minneapolis. Good luck!
Weekly Fluency Practice
Tazio Nuvolari is due on Friday, April 21st. Please have your parent sign your page.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Dates to Remember
April 17th Book Orders due / Choice Time
April 21st Possible Detention (Yuck)
April 24th Oceans of Fun Carnival / Beach Day
April 28th Children's Theater - Mpls.
April 29th Reading Contract due
April 30th Wear Black / Symphony Field Trip
May 1st Two Hour Late Start and turn in collected money (Goal $200)
April 21st Possible Detention (Yuck)
April 24th Oceans of Fun Carnival / Beach Day
April 28th Children's Theater - Mpls.
April 29th Reading Contract due
April 30th Wear Black / Symphony Field Trip
May 1st Two Hour Late Start and turn in collected money (Goal $200)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Homework for Monday Night
Fluency - Senor Coyote, the Judge
Spelling - Take-Home Task 13
Remember to keep working on your April Reading Contract. It is due on April 29th. The State Project instructions were given out today and the students began working on the ibooks. Enjoy!
Spelling - Take-Home Task 13
Remember to keep working on your April Reading Contract. It is due on April 29th. The State Project instructions were given out today and the students began working on the ibooks. Enjoy!
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