This year's celebration of Black History Month has included families, staff, special guests, and students of all ages! We read books, made art, danced, discussed, and reflected, exploring the contributions of Black people and communities to our school, our region, our nation, and our world.
Here are some highlights from the month:
Bella Kosmacher's 1st Grade class read the introduction to How We Can Live: The Principles of Black Lives Matter by Laleña Garcia, considering how the principles apply to their own lives, and exploring what it means to stand up for fairness, celebrate differences, and and be part of a kind and inclusive community.
"Black Lives Matter principles are so connected and flow naturally into everything we are doing," says Bella, "especially our community-related agreements, restorative justice practices, and social emotional development work.”
In 2nd Grade, Sophie Keel began the month with a read-aloud of This is Your Time by Ruby Bridges. “The children were struck by Ruby Bridges's courage amid the backdrop of segregation,” says Sophie.
“Our discussions touched on the human rights issues, like freedom, equality, and dignity, that make Black History Month so important. Now, the class is considering writing letters to Ruby and co-creating posters to express their admiration for her. They hope she will come visit High Meadow School someday!
"At High Meadow, we value Black people and Black history every month of the year." —Michelle Healy, Head of School
5th Graders worked with advisor Jack Milgram to select notable Black Americans to research and introduce to the class through poster-board presentations. Working on a drawing of Rosa Parks, partners Kira and Sahira sought help from drama teacher, Ally Uzzle, to mix just the right warm, bronze tone. Other figures presented include Lebron James and Kendrick Lamar.
Our DEIJ committee, comprised of teachers and administrators, hosted our first DEIJ Film Night, a free, public showing of Episode 3: Music, from the 1619 Project documentary series.
In Lily Feldman's Dance classes, many grade levels learned about Black dancer, director, choreographer, and activist, Alvin Ailey, and created physical tableaus inspired by his work. They shared some of these during our Black History Month all-school gathering.
"Because we know this country was built on racism, we are responsible every day for undoing racism." —Esi Lewis, Chief Diversity Officer for Ulster County
The all-school gathering also featured special guest Esi Lewis, Chief Diversity Officer for Ulster County. Esi is also a member of the New Paltz Town Board and founder of the Margaret Wade-Lewis Center, created in honor of her mother to "preserve the Black experience in the Hudson Valley."
Esi reminded the audience that, "Because we know this country was built on racism, we are responsible every day for undoing racism."
The good news is, each one of us, no matter what age, can play a role in this work, through something as simple as speaking up for a friend.
Esi noted, as well, how lucky we are to be learning and growing in a community that values everyone for who they are, and embraces our diversity as a strength.
Following the speech, 5th graders performed folk song Keep Your Eyes on the Prize, influential during the American Civil Right Movement, and middle school art elective students shared large-scale paintings accompanied by selections from poems by young Black poet, Amanda Gorman.
In closing, High Meadow DEIJ coordinator, Anna Jacobs (AJ), reaffirmed our school's commitment "to make sure all of us are seen, heard, loved, and protected."
