Kenilworth Schools Mark 9/11's 25th Anniversary with Assemblies, Ceremony

Every school in the Kenilworth School District will pause on Friday, September 11, 2026, to mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Programs are tailored to each grade level, with the high school assembly also serving as the official Kenilworth Borough 9/11 ceremony.

"Twenty-five years ago, our students did not witness what many of us adults experienced on that fateful day of September 11, 2001," Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Davies wrote. "Part of that never-forgetting is educating the next generation about the history and significance of 9/11."

At Harding Elementary School, educators will discuss heroism and what it means to be an upstander. At David Brearley Middle School, students will attend an assembly that covers the events of 9/11 through music, dance, and spoken word, addresses civic engagement, and closes with a classroom activity centered on kindness and gratitude.

The centerpiece of the day is the David Brearley High School assembly, which begins at 9:45 a.m. David Brearley High School is partnering with the Kenilworth Police Department on the program, which is designed to educate students and honor first responders. The Brearley Choir and Brearley Dance will perform, and the program will include guest speakers.

Because the assembly serves as the 2026 Kenilworth Borough 9/11 ceremony, interested community attendees must pre-register, bring a photo ID, and undergo a security screening at the school on the day of the event.

All three schools' events will launch "11 Days Forward," a program that challenges students to pay it forward through gratitude and kindness initiatives. Davies described the effort as a collaboration with Kenilworth Borough and the AmRev 250 Committee, made possible through the Kenilworth Police Department under the leadership of Chief Campanelli.

"Another part of never-forgetting is recognizing that dark times may occur, but sometimes out of darkness comes solidarity, unity, heroism, and kindness," Davies wrote.

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Photo Credit: Kenilworth Public Schools

FAQ

Q: What is Kenilworth doing to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11?
A: The entire Kenilworth School District will pause on Friday, September 11, 2026, with programs tailored to each grade level at three schools. A high school assembly at 9:45 a.m. also serves as the official Kenilworth Borough 9/11 ceremony.

Q: What programs are happening at each school?
A: At Harding Elementary, educators discuss heroism and being an upstander. At David Brearley Middle School, students attend an assembly covering 9/11 through music, dance, spoken word, civic engagement, and a kindness/gratitude classroom activity. At David Brearley High School, the assembly features the Brearley Choir and Dance, guest speakers, and partnership with the Kenilworth Police Department.

Q: What time is the high school assembly?
A: The David Brearley High School assembly begins at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Q: Can community members attend the high school assembly?
A: Yes. Interested community attendees can attend because the assembly serves as the 2026 Kenilworth Borough 9/11 ceremony. Attendees must pre-register, bring a photo ID, and undergo security screening at the school on the day of the event.

Q: What is the "11 Days Forward" program?
A: "11 Days Forward" is an initiative launching from all three school programs that challenges students to pay it forward through gratitude and kindness initiatives. It is a collaboration with Kenilworth Borough and the AmRev 250 Committee.

Q: Who organized these programs?
A: The programs are coordinated through the Kenilworth School District and Superintendent Jeremy Davies, in collaboration with Kenilworth Borough, the Kenilworth Police Department (led by Chief Campanelli), and the AmRev 250 Committee.

Q: Why is the school district marking this anniversary?
A: According to Superintendent Davies, educating the next generation about the history and significance of 9/11 is part of never-forgetting. The programs recognize that dark times may occur, but solidarity, unity, heroism, and kindness can emerge from adversity.