Throughout February, ACS students participated in a variety of special activities for Black History Month. Bulletin boards, library displays, classroom assignments, and a quiz contest during morning announcements helped shine a spotlight on the history, culture, and accomplishments of Black Americans.
The quiz contest ran for two weeks in February and a total of 9 African Americans were highlighted. Students were told a fact about an influential Black American and were able to win a prize by being the first to find their Principal and correctly identify that person.
Congratulations to the 10 students who were contest winners: 8th grader Isabel Alford, 4th grader Vaughn Burgan, 3rd grader Megan Connolly, 3rd grader Anthem Correa, 4th grader Brantley Haltom, 5th grader Solia Pecou, 3rd grader Luke Sabulao, 8th grader Jayden Sanchez, and 7th grader Stephanie Valdes. The students received a dress down pass as their prize.
Some of the quiz questions and answers were:
Question: Who was the first Black American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court? Answer: Thurgood Marshall
Question: In 1968, who was the first Black American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress? Answer: Shirley Chisholm
Question: Who was the first Black American woman to get a pilot’s license? Answer: Bessie Coleman
A short biography and photo of the 9 Black Americans featured in the contest are on display in a first floor school hallway. Bulletin boards in other hallways are also decorated in honor of historically significant Black Americans, like composer Duke Ellington, who was featured on the Music Room bulletin board.
Classroom lessons and projects highlighted the historical contributions of Black Americans. In Mr. Tardif’s 4th grade class students read biographies of Black Americans and in the Early Education Center stories of Black Americans were incorporated weekly into story time.
