Friday, Febraury 6, 2004

Schools in Fulton County observe Black History Month with special celebrations.

The month-long observance honors the achievements and contributions made by African-Americans to the nation’s economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development. The celebration originated through the work of Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, who founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.

Through the Association, Negro History Week (renamed Black History Week in the 1970s) was created to bring national attention to the accomplishments of African-Americans and to provide a more objective and scholarly balance to American and World history. The observance was expanded in 1976 to become Black History Month.

The following schools’ activities were reported to the school system’s communications department:

• Banneker High School ­ Clubs and organizations have been assigned a hall to decorate in the African colors of red, black, green, and yellow. Red’ represents blood that has been shed, ‘black’ represents the people, ‘green’ represents the land, and ‘yellow’ represents wealth and prosperity. Black history trivia questions also will be given each morning, and twice a week, students can play an “Oldies Mix” game where songs are scrambled and students have to identify the tune.

Students also will participate in a Spirit Ribbons/Colors competition. Ribbons will be distributed in English classes and each grade level will wear a certain color throughout February. At the end of the month, the class that turns in the most ribbons that were worn all month will be declared winners at a school-wide Black History Month assembly, February 26 at 9 a.m.

• Campbell Elementary School ­ The second grade classes at Campbell are producing a play written by teacher Jacquelin Kirk. The play, “The Black History Report,” premieres February 13.

Classes also are researching famous African-Americans for a project called “Black History: Past History and Living History.” Each grade level will focus on a particular category of contribution, such as music, science, or literature. The students will research one person from the past and one person from the present in each category. Stations then will be set up in the media center with a child or teacher portraying the living person. Classes will rotate through these stations, while others watch the play on February 13. 

• Gullatt Elementary School ­ Gullatt has selected the theme, “African-Americans Who Changed Our World,” to guide its celebrations. On Monday, guest readers from the community visited all classrooms to share stories authored and illustrated by African-Americans. Students and staff wore Afro-centric attire that day.

Students will share African-American history facts each day on the intercom during morning announcements, and on February 25, an African-American history program will be presented at 7 p.m. All grade levels will present poems, dances, and songs. 

• Heritage Elementary School ­ Heritage presents “The Wiz” February 10 at 7 p.m. Nearly 50 students have collaborated to bring the Broadway musical to life.

• Oak Knoll Elementary School (2626 Hogan Road, East Point) ­ Students will conduct research projects of famous African-Americans and their contributions.