ERIE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Throughout the month of February, students across the district will be learning about the achievements, contributions and efforts of African Americans to the fields of language and literature, arts and music, and science, technology and health. This first week, Jan. 31-Feb. 4, we're focusing on achievements or accomplishments that don't neatly fit into any of those boxes. 

Harding Elementary School: Collaborative Mural

Students in Dr. Newman's first grade class at Harding colored pages that, when hung together in the hallway, create a beautiful mural of prominent African Americans throughout history.

Diehl Elementary School: Study of Rosa Parks

Third grade students in Ms. Bowman's class studied Rosa Parks, who Congress named "the first lady of civil rights." The students expressed what they learned in both writing and creative and colorful artwork!

Edison Elementary School: Intersection of Sport and Poetry

Heaven Goodwin and Layla Rivera, students in Karlie Williamson's fourth-grade classroom at Edison Elementary School, studied poetry as part of the curriculum this fall. Maggie Cox, part of the behavioral support team at Edison, engaged the students in conversation around Black athletes and invited them to write a haiku.

We're doing flips over their subject choice! 

Perry Elementary School: Introducing Martin Luther King, Jr.

Students in Perry Elementary's kindergarten, first and second grade emotional support classroom "met" Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through learning and writing about King and one of his most famous and powerful speeches (right). In answer to the question of "What did Martin say in his 'I Have a Dream Speech," one student wrote, "Respecting everyone no matter their skin color." 

Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School: Rubye Bridges

Students in Ms. Torres' first grade class (left) read a book about Ruby Bridges who, at the tender age of six, advanced the cause of civil rights in November 1960 when she became the first African American student to integrate an elementary school in the South.

Lincoln Elementary School: Profiles in Achievement

One way Lincoln is kicking off Black History Month is by sharing across the school "Did You Know," a slide show that features interesting facts that students may have never heard.

Grover Cleveland Elementary School: Black Deaf History

Deaf and hard of hearing students at Grover Cleveland are talking Black about Deaf history. One of Elizabeth Freeman's third-grade students created this poster about C.J. Jones, detailing his accomplishments breaking into the hearing film industry. The class will be researching other Black Deaf individuals throughout the month.

McKinley Elementary School: Expressions of Love

The littlest learners in a preschool class at McKinley practiced writing expressions of love celebrating Ruby Bridges. The board features a quote from Bridges: "Each and every one of us is born with a clean heart."

Jefferson Elementary School: Art Appreciation

Visitors to Jefferson Elementary along with staff and students are greeted by this bulletin board displaying information about, and the artwork of, artist John Biggers. The bulletin board was created by art teacher Ehren Knapp.

JoAnna Connell Elementary School: Breaking the Color Barrier

One of the Black History Month activities at JoAnna Connell is a door decorating contest, and the students in Mrs. Fink's pre-k class are in it to win it with this display honoring Jackie Robinson. The students made the baseballs that surround snippets of information. The students, staff and Connell Facebook community will vote for their favorite door during the week of February 14.

Strong Vincent and Wilson Middle Schools: Focus on Research

Strong Vincent sixth graders (right) kicked off the month-long celebration by researching African Americans who have made great contributions to our nation. Their Google slides will be incorporated into a larger presentation shared with social studies classes. 

At Wilson (left), Mr. Skindell’s 8^th grade students are working on a research project, beginning with “Draft Day”, when they chose from a variety of men and women who made contributions to the fields of Education, Literature and Music, Exploration, Science/Invention, Medicine, Sports, Government, Military,  and the Civil Rights Movement.  Students will spend the month working on a written research paper and a PowerPoint presentation that they will share with their classmates. 

Mr. Marsili, Mr. Warren, and Mr. Chevalier are working with 7^th grade students on “Who Owns the Ice House”.  This book shares the wisdom and life-lessons that Pulitzer-Prize nominated Clifton Tolbert learned from his Uncle Cleve, himself an entrepreneur without any college-level training or particular brilliance, that work not only for entrepreneurs, but for life in general.  Students will continue reading and annotating throughout the month of February.

East Middle School: The Beauty of Henna

Marquis and Nialwalk worked with East's Newcomer Academy students to learn about the multicultural roots of henna design and art stemming from Africa, Egypt, Nepal. Gorgeous work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erie's Public Schools Cyber Choice Academy (at Patrick J. DiPaolo Student Success Center)

 

 

Second and third grade students learned about the accomplishments of Michael Jordan. EPS Cyber Choice Academy teacher, Mrs. Kilmer, engaged the students with a short YouTube video that detailed his life, failures, and successes.

 

Students then designed their own shoe with a symbol that represents them, their birthday number, and their favorite colors. In Mr. Morel's Art class, students were reminded about Michael Jordan's history and how he entered into the world of fashion. Students then learned about design elements and how to refine their initial concept. Each student walked away with a unique shoe design named after themselves. 

 

 

 

Erie High School

 

History is being made right now, with many of our talented student-athletes planning to participate in sports beyond their high school career. Erie High School highlighted one such student, Marquell Darnell, tight end for the Erie Royals varsity football team. Marquell recently committed to play football at the University of Akron. Congratulations to Marquell and all of our talented student athletes who represent Erie's Public Schools!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy

 

Students, staff and visitors to Collegiate Academy can view interesting facts about the history and contributions of African Americans in Erie on video kiosks in the school. This one displays information about Ada Lawrence, the first full-time Black teacher in Erie's Public Schools, and her family.