At ISW, we are in school for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day–exploring and honoring Dr. King’s legacy with a day of learning. Some highlights:
- High School foreign language students, led by Spanish teacher Nicki de Medici, explore the intersection of Black and LatinX experiences. Many of the High School students continue their work on semester-long art projects that will culminate in a mural that celebrates many cultures.
- Middle School Humanities students, led by Della Payne, take a virtual tour of the National Civil Rights Museum and then research Black heroes, including Robert Stengstacke Abbott, Marian Anderson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Pura Belpré, Jane Bolin, Gwendolyn Brooks, John Carlos, Shirley Chisholm, Alice Coachman, Bessie Coleman, Jesús Colón, Annie Lee Cooper, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, Celia Cruz, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., Dorothy Height, Mae Jemison, Marsha P. Johnson, Henrietta Lacks, Rosie Marie McCoy, Jesse Owens, Gordon Parks, Minnie Riperton, Bayard Rustin, Ethel Waters, Phillis Wheatley, and Maria P. Williams. Art students, led by art teacher Abi Gomez, continue the work in the afternoon.
- Upper Elementary students, led by teacher Jennifer Ratcliffe, examine the theme of courage as exemplified by Ruby Bridges, who was the first Black student to attend the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis on November 14, 1960.
- Lower Elementary students, led by teacher Laura Viner, read two biographies and create a book about Dr. King, including a section on important words to know and interesting facts to learn. They write and illustrate their own stories.
- Kindergartners and First Graders, led by teacher Kerry Silva, read three books related to Dr. King’s legacy. They complete a craft which focuses on the quote that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, ISW! May we learn from his teaching and follow his example!