Black History Month 2018
Lander Elementary School
Overview
Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
The National Theme for Black History Month 2018 is: African Americans in Times of War. This year’s theme commemorates the centennial of the end of the First World War in 1918, and explores the complex meanings and implications of this international struggle and its aftermath. Times of War inevitably provide the framework for many stories related to African American soldiers and sailors, veterans, and civilians. This is a theme filled with paradoxes of valor and defeat, of civil rights opportunities and setbacks, of struggles abroad and at home, of artistic creativity and repression, and of catastrophic loss of life and the righteous hope for peace.
In order to celebrate Black History Month at Lander Elementary School, we will have a few activities, including an all school book called The Other Side, by Jacqueline Woodson, which is a narrative told from the perspective of a young African American girl. In the story, the existence of a fence that extends across town is a central metaphor for the racial divide between two young girls. This metaphor has much meaning and significance and many parallels can be made to today's society.
In addition to participating in the whole school book, all classrooms will be asked to participate in a door decorating contest, the winning classroom will earn a pizza party. Lastly, all staff and students will be asked to wear a special color on Fridays to celebrate the history and traditions of African Americans.
Overview of Events:
Thursday Feb 1st:
- Lander Black History Month Kick-off read on the morning announcements
- This week, please begin activities for the book: The Other Side
Friday Feb 2nd:
- Colors announcement staff and students wear the color “Green”
Monday Feb 5th:
- This week, please continue activities for the book: The Other Side
Friday Feb 9th:
- Colors announcement staff and students wear the color “Red”
Monday Feb 12th:
- This week begin door decorating based on The Other Side, book theme
Friday Feb 16th:
- Colors announcement staff and students wear the color “Black”
Wednesday Feb 21st:
- Please have your door decorating completed, we will do the judging.
Friday Feb 23rd:
- Colors announcement staff and students wear the color “Gold”
- Door Decorating Contest winner announced