EVENTS: New Hanover County Schools celebrates African American History Month

February is African American History Month, and New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) has already begun to celebrate with events that are educational, inspirational and fun. Throughout the district, schools are incorporating African American studies into classroom curricula highlighting the important ways African Americans have impacted our nation's history. To celebrate African American History Month, the following events are planned:

February 7th 12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Local storyteller, Madafo, will visit Gregory Elementary students in honor of Black History month. Madafo will present to grades K-2 from 12:15p.m.-1:00p.m and grades 3-5 from 1:15p.m.-2:00p.m in the auditorium at Gregory Elementary, 1106 Ann Street.

February 7th -February 11th, during enrichment classes: Trask Middle School will be having a school-wide “Black History Month Door Decorating Contest” during the enrichment period. Each enrichment group will work collectively to illustrate a significant historical event, person, or category (such as music, fashion, theater, education, entertainment, sports and politics), as it relates to Black History. Doors will be judged on February 7th, and the winning enrichment group will be announced on February 11th. This event will be held throughout Trask Middle School, 2900 North College Road.

February 26th at 2:20 p.m.: Ashley High School will hold “A Celebration of Freedom Through Black History” at the Minnie Evans Art Center, 555 Halyburton Memorial Parkway. Ashley students will share their musical talent in song, instrument, and dance and there will be a “Multicultural Celebration Choir” performance. For more information, contact Dr. Kimberly McDuffie at  HYPERLINK "tel:910-790-2360" t "_blank" 910-790-2360 or HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" t "_blank" [email protected].

February 28th at 1:00p.m.: To celebrate African American History Month, Sunset Park Elementary School is participating in the 25th Annual National "Read-In Chain" and has invited special guests from NHCS and the community to read African American literature to students. The event will be held in the media center of Sunset Park, 613 Alabama Avenue.

Throughout the month of February:

·         At Blair Elementary School, Barbara Clark’s 4th grade AIG reading students are selecting prominent African Americans from a collection of biographies on which to do mini research papers. The students will use a simplified version of the Big 6 Research Model in preparation for when they do a full research paper using the model in the 5th grade.

·         During weekly music classes, Eaton Elementary School second and third grade students will participate in a unit of African American spirituals and game songs, including “Michael Row The Boat Ashore”, “Little Johnny Brown”, “Bob-a-Needle”, “Git On Board”, “Go Around the Corn Sally”, and “Train is A-Comin'”.

·    Starting February 3rd, the NHCS Public Relations Department’s Diversity Matters television program will highlight the Williston Alumni Association. The show will feature NHCS Chief Communications Officer Valita Quattlebaum's interview with Mrs. Sonja Green, Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee for the Williston Alumni Association and retired NHCS employee, as they have an in-depth discussion about the legacy of Williston Senior High.

 The fifth grade classrooms at Holly Tree Elementary will watch a documentary on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., followed by a class discussion on the power of words and equal rights.  This documentary and discussion is a follow up to the student-written "My Dream of a Better World" essays.

A second grade classroom at Holly Tree Elementary School is researching famous African Americans and creating projects based on their research, including include a timeline, biography report, and accompanying illustrations, to present to the class and display in the school. 

Several kindergarten classes at Holly Tree Elementary School will be studying Rosa Parks and her contribution to American history.