Moffitt Elementary students display patriotism on Flag Day
NORWALK – Moffitt Elementary School was awash in a sea of red, white and blue on Feb. 19 as students proudly waved the Stars and Stripes and performed patriotic songs in commemoration of Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s annual Flag Day celebration.
The Flag Day festivities, sponsored by the Norwalk Lions Club, are a District tradition, serving to increase awareness and educate students about the importance of patriotism.
“It is so wonderful to see such enthusiasm and creativity from the students on such a special day,” NLMUSD Superintendent Dr. Hasmik Danielian said. “We are tremendously grateful to the Norwalk Lions Club for sponsoring this event every year and for providing the community with much-needed support and services.”
Parents, civic leaders, state representatives and administrators stood as the Southeast Academy High School Color Guard presented the flag and Moffitt fifth-grader Janely Avalos led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The John Glenn High School band performed the National Anthem and “God Bless America” before giving way to the main event – stories and song performances presented by Moffitt students, from kindergarten through fifth grade, led by music teacher Desiree Quiles.
The second-graders wore Uncle Sam hats and beards while singing “You’re A Grand Old Flag”; the fifth-graders wore red and white bow ties while performing “Battle Hymn of the Republic”; the third-graders wore red, white and blue top hats and translated into sign language during “This Land Is Your Land”; the fourth-graders wore red, white and blue beads while singing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”; the first-graders wore feathered caps and sang “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” and many kindergarteners wore Dodger blue for their rendition of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”
“It is an honor to be selected to host the Flag Day celebration,” Moffitt Elementary principal Maureen Bixby said. “We have a special bond with the Lions Club and the City of Norwalk, who support our community and are always looking for ways to benefit our students and their families.”
It was a homecoming for Norwalk Lions Club president Marcus Gomez, who is a Moffitt Elementary School alum. Gomez spoke to the assembly about the charitable work performed by the Lions Club and, along with Anthony Garcia and Dora Sandoval of the Lions Club, assured the students that the small flags they received at the beginning of the day are just as valuable as the flag that flies over the White House.
Among the special guests at Flag Day were NLMUSD Board president Karen Morrison, Board member Chris Pflanzer, Little Lakes City School District Superintendent Phillip Perez, John Glenn High School principal Greg Puccia, and a representative from the office of State Assembly member Ian C. Calderon.