Black History Month/MCPS activities

[Anonymous]

Are any MCPS schools doing anything for Black History Month, especially the elementary schools? If your school did anything, would you mind sharing how they are honoring/celebrating it?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I volunteer at the library and they had Valentine's Day books out, I should have looked for Black History Month.

[Anonymous]

There were some amazing MoCo resources shared in schools I think in December that included interviews with MoCo residents, history of Tobytown with interviews, etc. I found them online to see myself. Does anyone have those links that include the interviews not avail to public? Unfort. I pulled my kid so no more mcps for now but this will be missed

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Also the Nat'l Cathedral had an event last week with renowned poet Marilyn Nelson. She wrote a book of poems about her childhood called Why I Write Poetry. Bc my kid didn't have to go to bed early for school, she was able to see Nelson in person at the Cathedral and hear her read some of these poems. Highly recommend her work for older elementary/middle/hs

[Anonymous]

Also....as an mcps alumna, one of the educational experiences I remember most (and actually remember) that educated me was the PBS series Eyes on the Prize, shown in 10th grade social studies. I think this was part of the teacher's own curriculum at the time, but these PBS series are really good and even elem. students can take them in. More recently there's a PBS series on the The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song, and just this month a new one started on Black and Jewish America, an Interwoven History. All available online

The upper levels of the Smithsonian's African American History Museum focus a good deal on Black joy and cultural achievements, you need a day to just see that part of the museum, amazing resource right here.

[Anonymous]

This post gives me a weird feeling, like someone is soliciting examples and then is going to lift them up and complain about how they are examples of public schools spending money to support bad scary DEI...

[Anonymous]

Oh no, I didn't even think of this. Yikes.

[Anonymous]

I keep forgetting dcum is not a great place. This seemed like a breath of fresh air with all the Wooton trauma

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There were some amazing MoCo resources shared in schools I think in December that included interviews with MoCo residents, history of Tobytown with interviews, etc. I found them online to see myself. Does anyone have those links that include the interviews not avail to public? Unfort. I pulled my kid so no more mcps for now but this will be missed

Thank you

Did you go private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This post gives me a weird feeling, like someone is soliciting examples and then is going to lift them up and complain about how they are examples of public schools spending money to support bad scary DEI...

Nah. I’m OP - I’m a Black mom - first year in public school.

[Anonymous]

At elementary school:

-Living history museum -involves month of students researching a famous black American & then writing a speech or creating a poster they share at the living history event during school day

-Slides shared with staff with daily read aloud book t

-during morning announcements bingo game featuring hints about famous black Americans. Classes work together to figure out who it is & fill their board

-displays all around school with images and quotes from Black American heroes

-all school assembly

-teachers are encouraged & provided resources for embedding further learning into the day.

-the above happens as a result of lots of teachers volunteering time, planning & also a good number of parents stepping in to support & volunteer, plus pta & supportive admin.

The goal is provide “windows and mirrors” and mirrors for our students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post gives me a weird feeling, like someone is soliciting examples and then is going to lift them up and complain about how they are examples of public schools spending money to support bad scary DEI...

Nah. I’m OP - I’m a Black mom - first year in public school.

What level? Are you looking for ideas for your school?