PSE hosts poignant day of awareness and celebration in honor of Black History Month
On Feb. 21, Philip Simmons Elementary School students, teachers, families and community members gathered to celebrate what President Gerald Ford recognized in 1976 as Black History Month. President Ford called on the public to set aside time to recognize the many contributions that African Americans have made to the United States and the world.
According to Rosemary Herold, librarian at PSE, the school views this month as “a special opportunity to dwell with our students in the richness of black culture and history and these have been powerful learning experiences for our students, teachers, and community.”
The school opened its celebration with comments from Dr. Glenda Levine, followed by a performance by the PSE choir, which sang three compositions: “I have a Dream,” “Hallelujah Get on Board” and “We Live the Dream.” PSE third and fourth grade poets then shared poems written with themes of equality, struggle, perseverance and justice.
“We then recognized second graders who designed and created a calendar recognizing local African American change-makers,” added Herold. “This calendar will be sold and all proceeds will go towards a donation in Philip Simmons’ name to the African American History Museum being constructed downtown.”
As students returned to their classrooms, adult attendees were invited to walk the halls and view work students created in an effort to learn about, recognize and celebrate local and national African Americans who have made lasting impacts on our community and nation. Kindergarten explored the use of quilts to tell stories, first grade was inspired by great African American inventors, second grade dug deep into the history of the local community to learn about and recognize local African American “changer makers.” Third grade created beautiful Jonathan Green-inspired paintings and fourth grade studied the African Americans who paved the way to freedom in the American Revolution.
“It was a wonderful day,” added Herold. “However, is our desire to not limit the study and celebration of African American history to a few special events or projects in February. Instead, we emphasize Black history as American history. Throughout the year we strive to celebrate the diversity of the U.S. and our great community by investigating, sharing, and celebrating the history and contributions of all cultures to our shared story -- we celebrate the ‘story of us’ and the important role that all members play in this story. This is one way that we at Philip Simmons Elementary ‘make it better.’”