News Release

Subject: Exciting events in history are being portrayed in schools during the month of February as Montgomery County Public Schools celebrates Black History Month

Exciting events in history are being portrayed in schools during the month of February as Montgomery County Public Schools celebrates Black History Month. From the primary/elementary level to the high school level, students are learning about the contributions of African Americans to the culture we live in. Schools in Montgomery County are providing lessons and hosting activities in celebration of these great Americans. These activities provide students with a varied knowledge of African Americans and their impact on history. Following are some of the events taking place within the school division.

At Christiansburg Primary School, classroom based lessons on Martin Luther King, Jr. and other black Americans are being given. The guidance counselor is also providing lessons focused on the virtue of compassion. She uses a book about Ruby Bridges and one about Rosa Parks to initiate these discussions in all grades. The second graders are reading short biographical sketches of famous African Americans over the announcements twice a week during the month of February and the librarian is focusing on literature that includes African American women.

At Harding Avenue Elementary School, Duke Ellington serves as composer of the month for February. Third graders are learning about African Americans such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thurgood Marshall. For each one of these individuals, students read and discuss information and participate in writing activities and songs. Students are also studying Jackie Robinson and George Washington Carver. Ms. Carter-Tod, a parent of a third grade student who is involved with Black History month events at Virginia Tech, came in and read to the class. She read Tar Beach and Aunt Harriet and the Underground Railroad. Fourth grade has been covering the aspects of slavery, pre-civil war and colonial times. Significant black history markers of people who have made a difference in black history are hung in the fourth grade hallway. Fifth graders learned about an African American artist, William H. Johnson, in art class. Students also re-created different works that William H. Johnson painted throughout his career. The student paintings can be seen on display at Harding Avenue Elementary. Fifth graders also saw a play interpreting the life of Harriet Tubman.

Kipps Elementary School will be hosting a Black History Celebration Day on Thursday, February 23, 2006, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. A Black History Program will also be held on March 1, 2006 at the following times: K-2^nd grade at 9:15-10:15 a.m.; 3^rd-5^th grade at 2:00-3:00 p.m.; and an evening program from 7:00-8:00 p.m.