Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District News Article

Black History Month Events in CH-UH Schools

• For the month of February, teachers are incorporating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) into their curriculum. 
• MSAN (Minority Student Achievement Network) Discussions:
  • February 3: How to be an Advocate: Using Your Voice
  • February 10: How to Stop the Divide - Colorism
  • February 18: How to Stop the Divide - Homophobia in the Black Community
  • February 25: Black Entrepreneurship Conference (collaboration with GEAR UP)
  • Represent HBCUs (Week 2), Black pride attire (Week 3), Blackout (Week 4) (Wednesdays)

• Spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU); students, special guests, and HBCU alumni will create and share videos.
• Honoring African American national and international achievements; students and staff will view short informative videos.  

• The school is sponsoring a contest called "Lead by Example" in which students can submit a creative audio-visual presentation of an original artistic expression (drawing, poem, song, etc.) responding to the prompt: "Black Americans have been LEADERS throughout history in many ways. Choose an African-American artist, activist, historian, family member, friend, teacher, staff member, or community member who you feel has been a leader and has inspired you to lead." The deadline to submit is February 25.
• The PTA is sponsoring a Minority Business Celebration Fundraiser.

• The Black History Month Committee is sponsoring activities such as daily trivia contests, door decorating, programming, writing contests, etc.

• Pending COVID-19 protocols, the school is exploring plans for its annual Soul Food Cafe’ event. PTA and staff are planning weekly highlight activities/lessons for a total of 4 historical Black figures.

• Morning announcements will feature an important person or event in Black History.
• Teachers and staff will record poems to be included on the school's webpage and written announcements.
• Important music from Black performers will be introduced and played during Mindful Music and sent out via the written daily announcements.
• Librarian will read and record picture books featuring Black authors and/or Black characters. Recordings will be placed on library’s webpage and Laurie Wilson’s Google classroom.
• Counselor will ask families to share traditions, meals, family members' stories. Students who share will be entered into a raffle.
• Black History lunch bunch: kids will share stories, artifacts, meals.

• The school is collecting recipes for its Community Soulfood Cookbook. Recipes can be submitted here through February 15.
• Other activities include a Black History Gallery created by students, a virtual quilt (art class), Kahoot trivia for each class, a virtual "Guess Who" game and a Soul Food lunch.

• Staff will hold a virtual gathering to watch a documentary/docu-drama and discussion.
• All students participate in a Flip Grid activity with the prompt: Famous African-American I would like to meet and why.
• Kahoot "Guess Who" game
• One Book event tied to Virtual Math and Literacy Night - the theme is Vice President Kamala Harris.

• Black History Facts and Stories will be shared over the Morning Announcements.
• Students will perform classroom-based research projects about famous African Americans and their contributions to society.
• Literature will be shared in classrooms about Black Joy and famous African Americans.

• The school's "One School, One Book" program will center around the book Hidden Figures. Each child will receive a copy of the book (K-2 picture book, 3-5 Junior Reader). A NASA speaker will do a virtual book kickoff and speak to students and staff. Oxford will invite guest readers to host read-alouds throughout the month.  

• Rox El will hold themed Lunch Bunches throughout the month by grade level as well as social-emotional lessons in each classroom.
• Students will research a famous African American and create a mini-biography that includes a connection to IB attributes. The students will present their mini book and may also choose to make a poster, PowerPoint, or dress up. 
• Students are reading books and articles in class related to famous African Americans.