Montclair Honors Legacy of MLK

Montclair Honors Legacy of MLK
Posted on 01/21/2020
The celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began in Montclair on Mon., Jan. 20 with residents, Township Council and Board of Education members, Montclair Public Schools administrators and township activists who gathered at the 31st annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast at the George Inness Annex. Students from the middle schools read essays reflecting on Dr. King’s perspective on the world today.  

MLK breakfast

During the week, Glenfield, Hillside, Renaissance and Watchung held educational and inspirational assemblies in honor of Dr. King. In addition to its assembly, Nishuane held an MLK “Read In.”  

student performs poetry  poetry slam participants
Glenfield's Poetry Slam

teacher reads to students  teacher speaks about MLK  teacher holds sign
Nishuane's Read-In and assembly where the school celebrated the number of kindness and justice links that students collected.

students walk silently to assembly  student raps  middle school band performs
middle school dancers  student reads essay  speaker addresses students
Renaissance began the morning with a silent "march" by students. The assembly included a student rap performance accompanied by a band, a dance performance, an essay read by Student Council president Michael Dumore, and a special guest, former student of Principal Joseph Putrino, musician/poet/writer/director/teacher/counselor, Ibn Sharif Shakoor.

hip hop assembly hip hop assembly hip hop assembly
Philadelphia-based Hip Hop Fundamentals gave an engaging presentation at Watchung that included student participation


"Day On"
Many of the Montclair schools held a "Day On" of service on the holiday or held in-school activities earlier in the week.

In the spirit of Dr. King, Bradford and Edgemont families gathered to contribute to a community mural honoring Dr. Martin Luther, write letters of support for child advocacy organizations, prepare soup for Toni’s Kitchen, decorate and stuff tote bags for the Hawthorne Ave. Elementary School in Newark, create 1,000 origami paper cranes with Edgemont School Roots & Shoots Club and shop for bake sale items to support a local charity.  

students recite speech  student colors bag  student colors bag
student draws handprint  students make soup  students make soup
roots and shoots sign  making paper cranes  making paper cranes

Buzz Aldrin students braved the cold to collect donations for the Montclair Animal Shelter.

students collect items   students collect donations

The Charles H. Bullock School hosted its 17th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service. There were performances along with opportunities to make special crafts and pack meals for homebound seniors. Interim Superintendent Dr. Nathan Parker stopped by along with members of the Montclair Police Department and greeted Principal Nami Kuwabara.

MLK day event  students do crafts  students make poster
students learn how to make condiment soup  packing bags for homeless  actor poses with family
MLK book display  students doing crafts  banner of postive messages

Glenfield held an in-school homeless awareness activity. 

homeless activity homeless activity  homeless activity

Hillside class teams collected specific items to create blessing bags for our community in need. They collected hundreds of items and were able to create over 220 blessing bags! Hillside students, parents, caregivers and Glenfield student volunteers came together on January 16 to assemble the blessing bags and write beautiful peace notes that were included in every blessing bag. More than 400 peace – words of encouragement meant to warm hearts and remind people that they are not alone and that they are cared for and seen – were written. Students learned the profound impact this simple gesture can have. The blessing bags will be delivered to Toni’s Kitchen, MESH and the Human Needs Food Pantry.

students pack bags for homeless   bags for homeless

packing bags for homeless  card for homeless  bags for homeless

Northeast had various service opportunities for families.

students paint rocks   service sign
peace rocks  student looks at MLK display

Principal Patrick Krenn and his sons participated in the activities at Watchung, including painting pottery for seniors.  

principal paints pottery  kids paint dishes  student coloring
students paint dishes  students make shelter out of boxes  students make cards for police
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