2018 Black History Month Activities
Feb. 5, 2018 -- Black History Month is being celebrated across the District in CH-UH. See below for the specific activities, assignments, and events each school is participating in this month.
Heights High School
(Sponsored by MSAN)
African Americans in Science
Science professions from the community will share information about careers in science and internship opportunities. Organized by O'Dasha Blue and Leatrice Clark with the Science Department.
Wednesday, February 7, 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Biology and Chemistry
Wednesday, February 21, 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.. Physics and Engineering
Wednesday, February 28, 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Medicine
All sessions in the Library.
February 8: HBCU Day - After School info session
3:00 - 4:00 p.m., Sip n’ Say Discussion, “HBCU’s and Positive Black Culture”, Room 229, Staff: wear your HBCU gear!
February 13: Legends of Chess - Tournament of Champions at Brush HS
The tournament honors Cleveland living legends Mrs. Bernice Holland and Mr. Harrison Dillard, participants in the London Summer Games of 1948.
Tuesday, February 13., 3:15 - 6:00 p.m.
Charles F. Brush Welser Gymnasium
February 14: Valentine's Day Dinner & Movie Night
Dinner is served 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., movie Love and Basketball, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. $3.00 per student, discussion to follow. Wear red.
Bake sale after school to benefit Domestic Violence Shelter.
February 16: Black Out Day
Wear black to school and at the 7:30 p.m. boys varsity basketball game against Shaw.
February 27: Soul Food Dinner and Lip Sync Battle
Join students, families and staff for a dinner and lip sync battle! 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., in partnership with Student Council and PTA.
February 27: Dashiki Day
Students and staff to wear Dashikis in honor of African roots and African American history.
Delisle Options Center
Black History Month Speakers:
February 16 - Jim Chones, former Cleveland Cavalier and Color Commentator ESPN
February 23 - Ted Ginn Sr; Head and Founder of Ginn Academy, Hall of Fame High School Football and Track Coach, Nationally recognized motivational speaker
February 28 - Lorenzo Thomas, Local Historian and Motivational Speaker, Creator and developer of African American Calendar, Supervisor- The Carrington Youth Academy, and The Help Foundation
Heights Middle School
The middle school planning committee has been working for several weeks to plan Black History Month events. HMS will have daily trivia contests, a writing contest, BHM dress days, and a PTA display at the main entrance. The major culminating event will be our Harlem Renaissance assemblies on Wednesday, February 28.
The goal is to create an understanding of the Harlem Renaissance and a deeper awareness of the role Harlem played in the development of American art and culture. Students will have the opportunity to delve into the various areas of interest in the Harlem Renaissance, and be able to express themselves through art, music, and oral and written expression. Students will also have the opportunity to broaden their cultural horizons by being exposed to some cultural influences they may not normally receive.
Boulevard Elementary School
Boulevard second, third, fourth, and fifth graders are doing "Wax Museum" presentations of various African American figures and their historical contributions throughout U.S. history. It was emphasized to move away from figures known all too well in our history books. The Wax Museum project asked students to research, dress-up, and then present (in character) their figure. We plan on having our in-school presentations on February 20, in addition to more during our Soul Food Cafe on the night of February 22. Our Kindergarten and first grade students will experience the museum.
Our students in Mr. Russell's room did extensive research on various African American figures and the contributions to our history and created a hallway display near the front entrance to the building.
Canterbury Elementary School
Olu-Remi Oliver from Cleveland Storytellers is coming Friday, February 23, at 9:30 a.m. to do sessions for all grades. Additionally, classrooms will be studying African American inventors who demonstrated the IB attributes of inquirer/thinker and knowledgeable. Classroom work will be displayed on a board in the main hallway. Lastly, we will discuss Black History Month during our morning announcements and include facts such as the following:
Thessalonika Arzu-Embry - She’s not old enough to have a learner’s permit, but Illinois resident Arzu-Embry graduated from Chicago State University at the age 14 in 2013. In college since the age of 11, Arzu-Embry maintained a 3.9 GPA with a major in psychology. With college under her belt, she plans on pursuing graduate education in psychology.
Fairfax Elementary School
During Black History Month, Fairfax Elementary students will engage in activities in each of their classrooms with teachers planning various lessons and assignments.
- Our students will create a collage, and work will be displayed throughout the school in hallways, classrooms, and the gym.
- Students will have an opportunity to write, draw, create an iMovie, or perform their own I Have a Dream speech.
- Daily trivia, with prizes, will be announced on the morning announcements.
- Dr. Sandy Womack, CH-UH Director of Principal Leadership, will present to our students. (Date TBD)
- Students will study famous African Americans and will make connections to the IB learner profile by identifying how the person was a risk-taker, principled, inquirer, etc.
- Fifth grade students will have a living museum where other students and families will be invited. (Date TBD)
- Local African-American authors known as IBA, Independent Book Authors, will come in to read to students in grades K-2 and will help them create their own book on February 26. Books will be available for purchase for families.
- The culminating Black History Month celebration will take place on Wednesday, February 28, at 2:00 p.m.
Gearity Professional Development School
Monday, February 5 - Director of Principal Leadership and Development Dr. Sandy Womack will speak with our third, fourth and fifth graders about Black History.
Friday, February 16 - Family Soul Food Dinner and showing of Hidden Figures, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 28 - Black History Play - 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Gearity will also read Black History narratives on Morning Announcements at least three times a week during the month of February.
Noble Elementary School
Wednesday, February 14 - Cleveland Heights Gospel Choir performing during school-wide assembly, 9:30 -10:30 a.m.
Friday, February 23 (tentative date) - African Drummer Mama Fasi performing during two assemblies
Date TBD - Famous African American Dress Up Day
Essay Contest Grades 3-5 - In your opinion what is the most significant invention created or achievement made by an African American and why? CH-UH Opinion Based Writing Rubric will be used to select winners. Winners will be awarded with prizes, and all participants will be acknowledged.
Coloring Contest Grades K-2 - Students will draw pictures from the Coloring Book of Famous African Americans. Winners will be awarded with prizes, and all participants will be acknowledged. Winners will be selected by PTA and the art teacher.
I Know My African American History Facts Quiz - Prize Drawing Every Friday
Student Council members will read Black History Month Facts daily during Noble’s afternoon announcements.
Oxford Elementary School
February 14 - Heights Gospel Choir Performance, 12:30 p.m. in Oxford Gym
February 16 - 5th Grade Wax Museum Projects, all centered on African American subjects, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in Oxford Gym
February 22 - Cleveland Association of Black Story Tellers, K-2 10:00-10:25 a.m. and 3-5 10:35-11:00 a.m.
Roxboro Elementary School
Friday, February 23, 10:00 a.m. - Cleveland Heights Black History Success Stories. Wayne Dawson, from Fox 8 News, will be the moderator, and we have invited several CH-UH graduates to have a panel discussion with our students. Students will get an opportunity to ask them questions. The panel includes:
- Keesha Allen, Director of CH Home Resource & Repair Center
- Janine R Boyd, District 9 House of Representatives Member
- Jeffrey Johnson, Principal of JIJ Communications
- Julian Rogers, Inaugural member of Cleveland City Council, now CSU Community Involvement Director
- Joe Tucker, Jazz Pianist and TriC Music Professor
- Vanessa Whiting, Attorney and past member of Cleveland Harbor Commission among other local organizations
Students will also be engaged in Black History Month activities in each of their classrooms with teachers planning various lessons and assignments. Art students will learn about African American artist Alma Woodsey Thomas; music students will learn about the history of jazz originating as an African American art form; physical education students will learn about famous African American athletes and they made a difference in the lives of others in their sport. Each week during library time, students will have a Black History Month focus, including books to read or searches to perform.