Cooperstown Central School superintendent Mary Jo McPhail will send a letter home with students for parents and guardians detailing the district's plan for addressing the "tragic and heroic events that occurred that day."

"We feel strongly," wrote McPhail, "that activities must be meaningful and age appropriate for an educational setting."

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the students and staff at all levels will have a moment of silence as part of the morning announcements. Classroom discussions will be held in all three buildings.

Elementary students and staff are encouraged to wear red, white and blue. Middle and high school students and staff are being asked to wear patriotic pins and ribbons. A memorial wall will be available for recording thoughts and images should people choose to utilize this medium.

"A small fund-raiser in honor of the New York City Firefighters Widows' Fund is being considered at the secondary level," wrote McPhail. "As always, our counseling staff will be available should the need arise."

McPhail said the events of September 11 will "remain with each and everyone of us in varying ways. It is important that we not only memorialize the tragic events of that day, but also commemorate the many acts of heroism and patriotism. On Wednesday, as on that day a year ago, our emphasis will be on maintaining the normal routines that in and of themselves bring comfort and security to our students."

A community forum, Speak and Listen: The Legacy of September 11, is planned for 7:30 p.m. at the Otsego County Courthouse on Main Street of Cooperstown.

According to Wendell Tripp, forum co-sponsor and former mayor of Cooperstown, "This forum has no invited speakers and no specific political agenda. Instead, it seeks to promote openness both for those who speak and those who listen, as well as greater awareness of others' opinions, essential in a democracy."

Everyone is invited to attend the forum.

NYSHA president Dr. Gilbert Vincent contacted the police department to request that fly flags at half-mast to mark the day, and village clerk Laura Lee said she heard church bells might be ringing to commemorate 911. Calls to Vincent's office were returned by his secretary, who said that he was still not sure exactly what plans for the day would include.