2024 February Community Newsletter
Community Engagement and Belonging (Community)
February 2024
Hello and welcome to February. A month I value and treasure for many reasons. February is the month to Celebrate Black History Month among another important events. Please see the variety of recognitions below. Also, I have coined February the "month of Love," due to Valentine's Day.
Love can show up in many ways and forms. One of my favorite love quotes is by the great, Khalil Gibran, 'Work is love made visible." My love shows up through my love for helping to create inclusive and equitable environments. Love is showing up through the CEB work our students are doing from Upper School engaging in their "Creating Compassionate Communities" modules in their advisories, to our Middle School students reflecting and discussing best ways to use supportive language, to our Lower School Changemakers discussing and sharing ways to use supportive, empowering language. Love shines through in all those actions. Finally, the wonderful faculty engaging in ongoing reflective, introspective professional learning time to consider the ways to increase their self efficacy in helping to build our students' sense of belonging, all acts of love.
I hope that you find many moments this month and every month to focus on and engage in what you love. Our wonderful Upper School French and Spanish teacher, Alan Rivera's monthly quotes brighten my month, please be sure to read this month's "Love" contribution.
As always, if you would like to add to this newsletter or have any questions, please contact me. I wish you warm thoughts and lots of love this month. Stay safe and warm. Please follow the CEB Instagram page (@ulsceb) and watch the CEB webpage (https://uls.org/ceb/) for updates.
Sincerely,
Michelle Cureton
Director of Community Engagement and Belonging
January Religious Diversity Journey
In January we took time to learn about, recognize, and honor the diversity of religions. All 7th graders are involved in the Religious Diversity Journeys in which they visit various places of worship to expand their knowledge and understanding of various religions. I had the opportunity to attend their RDJ to Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills in January. It was a wonderful experience. Students learned about the major tenets of Christianity, learned and practiced Worship music, and learned about various aspects of Christianity. For the RDJs there is a service project students are involved in, for Christ Church Cranbrook students created hygiene kits for various groups of people.
The Sanctuary
Learning about the Organ and Worship Music
Creating the Hygiene Kits
University Liggett Black History Month Activities Recap
MONTH LONG CELEBRATION:
- Black History Month
- Heart Health Month
WEEKLY:
February 1-7: International Interfaith Harmony Week – aims to enhance the principles of peace among all nations and peoples, fostering unity and understanding across different faiths. It was officially launched by the United Nations in 2011.
February 14-20: Random Acts of Kindness Week – observed during the week of February 17th, urges individuals to prioritize kindness and spread it in all aspects of their lives. This initiative recognizes the universal need for kindness and aims to enhance schools, workplaces, families, and society as a whole through acts of kindness.
February 1: National Freedom Day – is celebrated on February 1st to mark freedom from slavery and to honor America as a symbol of liberty. This day commemorates Abraham Lincoln's signing of a resolution that led to the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, on February 1, 1865. This day serves as a reminder of the progress towards freedom for all.
February 2: National Wear Red Day – is an annual event observed on the first Friday of February as part of American Heart Month. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease, particularly in women, and promoting heart health. Participants are encouraged to wear red clothing or accessories to show their support for the fight against heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death worldwide. National Wear Red Day serves as a reminder of the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent heart disease and promote cardiovascular wellness.
February 2: Ground Hog Day – is a traditional event celebrated in parts of the United States and Canada on February 2nd. According to folklore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. However, if it doesn't see its shadow, it will stay outside, signaling an early spring.
February 4: Rosa Parks Day – commemorates the courageous act of the American Civil Rights icon who on December 1st, refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama city bus. Some states also observe Rosa Parks Day on February 4th, her birthday, or the first Monday after her birthday, such as February 5th in 2024. Officially recognized in several states including California, Ohio, Alabama, Missouri, Oregon, and Tennessee, there have been calls to establish Rosa Parks Day as a federal holiday to standardize its observance nationwide.
February 10: Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon) – also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of the new lunar year according to the Chinese calendar, which usually falls between late January and mid-February.
February 11: International Day of Women & Girls in Science – is a United Nations designated day that aims to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. This day highlights the importance of gender equality in the field of science and aims to challenge stereotypes and biases that hinder women's and girls' progress in these areas.
February 13: Mardi Gras – In France, Mardi Gras, celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, signals the end of the pre-Lenten season. "Mardi Gras" translates to "Fat Tuesday," originating from the tradition of using up fats in the household and is a celebration period before fasting season of Lent. In the United States, the main Carnival festivities occur in New Orleans, Louisiana.
February 14: Ash Wednesday – is a sacred day observed with prayer and fasting in various Western Christian denominations.
February 14: Valentine’s Day – is a holiday celebrated annually on February 14th. It's a day dedicated to expressing love and affection, often through the exchange of cards, gifts, and romantic gestures. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and has since evolved into a cultural and commercial celebration of love in many parts of the world.
February 15: Parinirvana Day (Nirvana Day) – is a Buddhist holiday commemorating the death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and his attainment of Pari nirvana, which is the final nirvana. It's a solemn occasion marked with reverence and contemplation of the nature of existence and liberation in Buddhism.
February 20: World Day of Social Justice – is a global observance that acknowledges the importance of advancing social justice. This entails addressing various challenges such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights violations, and the provision of social protections.
February 20: Presidents' Day – in the United States, is a holiday observed on the third Monday in February. It is widely acknowledged as a tribute to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and it is occasionally interpreted as a celebration encompassing the birthdays and legacies of all U.S. Presidents.
DAILY RECOGNITIONS:
- February 1: National Freedom Day
- February 2: Ground Hog Day
- February 4: Rosa Parks Day
- February 5-9: National Counselors Week
- February 10: Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon)
- February 11: International Day of Women & Girls in Science
- February 13: Mardi Gras
- February 14: Ash Wednesday
- February 14: Valentine’s Day
- February 14 - 20: Random Acts of Kindness Week
- February 15: Parinirvana Day (Nirvana Day - Buddhist)
- February 20: World Day of Social Justice / Presidents' Day
Movie Knight!
"AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE ARTS"
Black History Month - Black History Month is celebrated in February in both the United States and Canada, initiated by Carter G. Woodson through the establishment of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This tradition began in 1926 with the creation of Negro History Week, which later expanded into a month-long observance. Since 1976, February has been officially designated by the federal government to honor and commemorate the significant contributions made by individuals of the African diaspora.
Black History Month 2024 is dedicated to the theme "African Americans in the Arts," as we commemorate the profound impact of Black individuals on the cultural landscape. This February, we celebrate their artistic contributions. Throughout the month, our focus remains on recognizing and honoring the rich artistic legacy of African Americans, spanning music, literature, visual arts, performing arts, and more. As we delve into the creative achievements of legendary musicians shaping the sound of generations to literary giants igniting minds, this celebration encapsulates the diverse and influential voices within the African American community.
"Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. We are civilization’s radical voice."
-Paul Robeson (1898-1976) Concert artist, actor, athlete and activist
ULS Celebrates Black History Month
Upper School Celebrations
Please Click on The Poster Below for an Expanded View of the Upper School Poster
Middle School Celebrations
Black History Month Activities
-Door Decorating Contest
-Poetry Activity
-Spirit Days
-Trivia
Lower School Celebrations
Black History Month Activities
-Changemakers Assembly (Honor Influential Black figures)
-Activities and Crafts
-Coloring Contest
COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History<https://www.thewright.org/programs> - The nationally recognized cultural gem hosts several opportunities to celebrate the rich legacy of African Americans. Including:
- Second Sundays at the Wright: FREE Admissions to all exhibits, special programming, and events EVERY 2nd Sunday
- Feb. 10: Black Expo at the Orchard Mall in West Bloomfield
- Feb. 15 Sunday Films-a series uncovering stories of courage and resilience Conversations: Benjamin Crump, renowned civil rights attorney will address critical topics to inspire civic engagement.
- Feb. 17: Detroit Book City African-American Family Book Expo 2024 at Historic People’s Community Church in Detroit
- Feb. 18: Black History Month Celebration at Pontiac Public Library in Pontiac
- Feb 4-June 23 Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971 Exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts - Film screening Feb. 8 from 6-8:30 p.m.
"Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain and still succeed."
- Misty Copeland, first African American Female Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre
February Mantras and Quotes Presented by:
Upper School French and Spanish teacher, Mr. Alan Rivera
Please enjoy the mantras and quotes etc. below for February that focus on Love and Black History Month. I love the idea of LOVE in all forms. Two of my favorite love quotes are:
Khalil Gibran — 'Work is love made visible."
James Branch Cabell- "There is no gift more great than love"
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
- Maya Angelou, writer, civil rights activist
"Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public."
- Cornel West, philosopher, writer, educator, activist
"Where there is love of life, there is appreciation of the power, the beauty, and the mystery of the world."- Alain LeRoy Locke, writer, philosopher, educator
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader
"You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first."
- Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States
"Love is or it ain't. Thin love ain't love at all."
- Toni Morrison, writer
“There is no love without loss. I hear the drums that vibrate to the heartbeat of the earth. They set me dancing. I see the clouds that wreathe the summits. They set me dreaming. I know the wonder of waves that shake the headlands. They awaken my soul. I hear the screams of eagles on the wind. And I ponder, what are these things to me who loves and does not reckon loss? Do I not keep the earth?”- N. Scott Momaday, author
"Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place."
– Zora Neale Hurston
“For it is love that moves the sun in heaven and all the stars."
- Audre Lorde, writer, professor, civil rights activist
"Love is like sharing your favorite cookie, even when you want the whole thing to yourself.”
- Fred Rogers, television personality, educator
“I love who I am, and I encourage other people to love and embrace who they are. But it definitely wasn't easy - it took me a while.”
- Serena Williams, athlete, activist
"Where there is love there is life."
- Mahatma Gandhi, independence leader
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.”
- Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa
"No friendship is an accident."
- O. Henry, writer
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights activist
"Let us remember that, as long as love and memory endure, those who have passed are not dead."
- James Michener, writer
"Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity."
- Khalil Gibran, writer, artist
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one."
- C.S. Lewis, writer
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."
- Helen Keller, writer, activist
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
- The Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"I am grateful to have been loved, and to be loved now and to be able to love. Because love liberates."
- Maya Angelou, writer, civil rights activist
"Love is the greatest refreshment in life."
- Pablo Picasso, artist
“If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don't see.”
–James Baldwin
We Can Have an Inclusive Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day does not have to be a day to only focus on traditional relationships but it can be a day to focus on:
- Friendship
- Service learning projects (loving and helping others)
- Different types of love and relationships
- Volunteering/Helping Others
- Self Love
CELEBRATE HEART HEALTH MONTH
Did you know February is National Heart Health Month? Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. During this special month, help kids and adults understand the importance of a healthy heart and actions they can take to live a heart healthy life