THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602130091
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
County schools are using music, speakers and special publications to make February, Black History Month, come alive for their students.
HARDY ELEMENTARY
Several local African-American business and political leaders, including former sports personality Bobby Goodman and Franklin Judge Alfreda Tarleton-Harris, will speak to students.
Fourth- and fifth-graders also will get a visit from Clemintine Odom and her daughter, Norma Odom-Leonard, two Smithfield residents who have been to Africa. Later this month, Elgin Lowe, a former Isle of Wight principal who lives in Suffolk, will share several books he has published on his family's history and will speak on family heritage and genealogy.
In addition, students are asked to wear black-and-white clothing Feb. 20 to celebrate Unity Day. The committee selected this date to commemorate the death of Frederick Douglass, the 19th century anti-slavery leader and journalist.
WINDSOR ELEMENTARY
At this school, the celebration also is done to the tune of music. The American Jazz Ensemble, a group of performers trained to work with young audiences, will perform for students and tie the music to their African roots.
These performances will be held during special assemblies Feb. 14-15. The group's visit was sponsored by the school's Parent Teacher Association.
In addition, one day this month Principal Fred Stanton plans to read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s ``I Have a Dream'' speech to students over the intercom.
CARROLLTON ELEMENTARY
The performing arts are also bringing black history to life for youngsters at Carrollton Elementary. On Feb. 28, the Richmond-based children's theater, Theatre IV, will present ``Freedom's Song,'' a performance illustrating African-American song and history from the Colonial period to the present. This group's visit is sponsored by the school's PTA.
Every day this month, students are learning a bit of black history-related trivia via the school's student-operated television station. Each day's student newscaster shares a bit of information that is telecast through other classrooms.
SMITHFIELD/WINDSOR
Teachers in Smithfield Middle and Smithfield and Windsor high schools are using various publications, including a 36-page special section published by The Virginian-Pilot, to teach black history in the classroom. The three schools bought copies of that publication for all their students.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
The county's two private schools, Isle of Wight Academy and Peninsula Christian School, have no schoolwide activities scheduled. However, school officials say teachers at both schools are incorporating black history in classes this month. by CNB