September 18, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 17 Officials mark 9/11 anniversary (continued from page 5) Other guests included Mayor Rudy Boonstra of Wyckoff, Mayor Bud O’Hagan of Midland Park, Mayor Chris Botta of Ramsey, and Mayor Bill Laforet of Mahwah. Allendale had been able to obtain one of the last and longest steel girders left from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, but had not been able to have the contractor install the girder in time for the ceremony. Courtyard classroom (continued from page 6) and Diane McDonough spearheaded the effort to bring the courtyard classroom to the school for the benefit of students at all grade levels. The students did their part by holding a letter-writing campaign, urging the NJLCA to selects the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School as the beneficiary of its annual PLANET Day of Service. The effort was a success. In addition to having provided the seed money for the project, the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation, a non- profit organization that raises funds for school programs and initiatives, has also contributed benches and tables to make the area more usable, and gardening gloves for those working outside. NJLCA representative David Huber, a landscape designer from Horizon Landscape in Wyckoff, designed the courtyard classroom. Huber’s design provides students with opportunities to study agriculture, aquatic sciences, and ecology. The professionals built raised beds for veg- etables and restored an existing pond and waterfall as part of the project. The courtyard classroom allows teachers various oppor- tunities to instruct their students outdoors. Ferrara noted that many classes have planted flowers in the outdoor area, and some of the school’s youngest students planted a “three sisters” garden, which includes beans, squash, and corn – three staples used by Native Americans. “It has been a community effort,” Ferrara added. When the memorial has been completed, the 20-foot girder will be slanted at 11 degrees from upright and a timeline of events from Sept. 11, 2001 will be carved in stone on the base. Pictured at left: The architect’s rendering of the new memo- rial. Above: A view of the crowd that gathered for the 9/11 anniversary ceremony.