The 29th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast was held on Mon., January 15, at the George Inness Annex of Montclair High School. Students from the middle schools read essays reflecting on Dr. King’s perspective on the world today.
Several of Montclair’s schools held assemblies on Fri., Jan. 12 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. including Hillside and Watchung and several hosted or attended service activities on Monday, where students and community members paid tribute to the civil rights activist with a variety of inspiring and educational activities during their “Day On” of service.
See pictures of Watchung activities.
In the spirit of Dr. King, Bradford students and their families gathered for a morning of hands on volunteer opportunities to help others in the community and around the world. There were several stations/booths set up so that students can learn about different ways to help others in need. Activities included: Writing letters to and creating bookmarks for students at a sister school in Puerto Rico, preparing soup for Toni’s Kitchen, decorating and stuffing tote bags for the children of CASA (a non-profit organization that provides court-appointed advocates for children in foster care), filling backpacks with food for Toni’s Kitchen “Healthy Backpack” program, and supporting Breaking the Chain through Education, an organization that seeks to eradicate child slavery in Ghana. Students and families from Edgemont joined Bradford for their Day On.
See pictures of Bradford and Edgemont activities.
The Charles H. Bullock School hosted its 15th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service. This year’s theme was “Be Like Martin.” All crafts and activities focused on teaching our young ones that they have the power to create change in their communities and the world. New this year is a musical program, “A Celebration of the Music of the Civil Rights Movement.” The P.A.C.E. Music Group, a 25-piece youth orchestra featuring an all-female trumpet section called “The Trumpet Chicks,” performed and were joined by recording artist Rachel Brown. As always, the event ended with meal delivery to homebound seniors.
See pictures of Bullock activities.
In honor of the legacy of Dr. King, Nishuane students and families sorted the food items generously donated by the Nishuane Community, which included: 82 boxes of pasta, 46 pasta sauces, 39 bags of rice, 103 cans of vegetables, 52 other items and $385 in donations. The students made place cards with positive messages that will be placed on the tables at MESH Cafe. Everyone participated in a story hour & discussion where we read Uncle Willy and the Soup Kitchen and Fantastic Kids: Helping Others.
See pictures of Nishuane activities.
Northeast Elementary School honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 15, with a day of service, art and community. Dozens of families attended the PTA-sponsored event, which featured breakfast, a student art display and several interactive stations. Northeast art teacher Jorge Larrea created a large replica of the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the reflecting pool so students could imagine experiencing Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Northeast parent Natalie Sullivan organized the event, which included food and book donation drives benefitting the Human Needs Food Pantry and the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation. ACME, Starbucks, Gencarelli’s Bakery and Watchung Booksellers also provided generous support.
See pictures of Northeast activities.
Students from Buzz Aldrin Middle School took to the community for their Day of Service. Volunteer opportunities included staffing a donation table at King’s Supermarket Staffing to benefit Toni's Kitchen Backpack Outreach Program, assisting with the Backpack Outreach Program at Toni’s Kitchen, participating in recreational activities with residents at Gates Manor Nursing Home, and helping with set-up, food service, entertainment and clean-up at the MESH Hope Brunch. Students also helped spread the word by creating a poster using pictures, poetry, photos, a drawing or a quote of Dr. King’s to describe what the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service means to them. Three posters were selected to promote BAMS MLK Jr. Day of Service throughout the community.
See pictures of Buzz Aldrin activities.
Glenfield Middle School celebrated King with its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. assembly. This year’s theme was “Activism for Change.” Over the past few weeks, Glenfield staff and students have been conducting classroom and school-wide discussions related to the legacy of Dr. King and his connection to peace. This year’s assembly was a culmination of the students’ reflections and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life. The assembly is coordinated by a committee of teachers led by Margaret Whitsett. This year’s event included both adults and students who were treated to speeches, musical and dance performances as well as our live painting. Rabbi Israel Dresner was our Keynote Speaker. Glenfield is in pursuit of developing a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art Gallery. As part of the assembly program student artists create a live painting inspired by the theme. This year, artwork was a portrait of the Civil Rights Activist, Fannie Lou Hamer, for her determination to be a change agent in a time of inequality. The finished painting will be on display in the Glenfield library.
See pictures of Glenfield activities.
The Renaissance staff presented a "MLK Teach-In Program" to the students. The program was presented in speaker, visual and audio form and featured The Declaration of Independence, MLK’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech and other stories including those of Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges and Sojourner Truth. Families were invited to participate in a school-wide "Book Drive & Swap on Monday, Jan. 15 as a Day On. Books were going to be given to IMANI, the Women’s Scholarship Fund and the United Way.
See pictures of Renaissance activities.