As part of our curriculum on World War II, 8th graders examined important – but challenging – material related to Nazi Germany’s systematic persecution and genocide of European Jewry and other vulnerable groups. The students read Elie Wiesel’s Night, viewed Steven Spielberg’s The Last Days, and analyzed a variety of primary sources on the Holocaust.

We were honored to welcome Agnes Vertes, a Holocaust survivor and “hidden child” to Unquowa on May 2nd, where she met with 7th and 8th grade students and parents. She is the president of the Holocaust Child Survivors of Connecticut (HCSC) and a documentary filmmaker. During her visit, Ms. Vertes detailed her experiences as a young child in Nazi-occupied Budapest, and her family’s remarkable story of survival. She offered us a window into one of the darkest times in history, as well as hope and resolve for a better future for all. Her parting message for our students: Don’t be a bystander. Stand up for the oppressed in all instances of injustice!

If you’d like to watch Ms. Vertes’ presentation, CLICK HERE