Every year, Tyler ISD’s Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School holds a student-led assembly on Patriot Day to honor those who lost their lives, including the school’s namesake, in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Although the ceremony will be virtual this year, students will continue their tradition of honoring leadership.
“It is a long standing tradition at our school to have a ceremony every September 11 to honor Dr. Bryan C. Jack and all who lost their lives that tragic day,” Principal Brett Shelby said. “Our student leaders do a great job organizing and leading the ceremony in front of fellow students, staff, parents, and guests. Despite the challenges COVID-19 has brought this year, our staff felt it is important to continue our Patriot Day tradition.”
A special addition to this year’s virtual ceremony is a presentation of a September 11 artifact that was donated to the school by a former student’s family.
“The artifact is an East Texas Savings Bond that was recovered from one of the buildings,” Shelby said. “We are excited to add it to our display case.”
Dr. Jack was the son of Tyler educators and a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School. While at Lee, he was a National Merit Scholar, a Presidential Scholar and received many other honors. Dr. Jack went on to receive a B.A. in Economics from the California Institute of Technology, an MBA from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Maryland. Dr. Jack was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77 when it crashed into the Pentagon not more than 200 feet from his office. He was traveling to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California to deliver a lecture. Dr. Jack was 48-years-old.
“Dr. Jack was a tremendous leader in our community and our country, and we are proud to honor him and other influential leaders every year,” Shelby added.
To honor him, Jack Elementary School’s mascot is the Patriot and their colors are red, white, and blue.
Celebrating leadership is a part of the daily culture at Jack Elementary School. Utilizing the national Leader in Me leadership and character development program, students and staff integrate the best practices from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and strategies to develop focus, take action, be accountable, and achieve goals. Jack Elementary has even received national recognition as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, an achievement just over 300 schools world-wide have earned. This past July, the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees approved the expansion of the Leader in Me program to reach all District kindergarten through 6th grade classrooms.
Friday the ceremony will air live at 9:30 a.m. on the school’s Facebook page (@jacktylerisd) and will be recorded and sent out afterward through the Jack parent newsletter.
For more information or questions, please contact the Office of Communications at 903-262-1064.