So far students have enjoyed playing in the snow, weathered the coldest day in several years, and enjoyed lots of learning. I suspect that like me, you are experiencing a bit of COVID news fatigue. In some cases, children have had to be home and families have had to find alternative childcare. I know this has been a challenging first two weeks for every adult member of our community. We have all attempted to insulate our students and children from this stress. All week we have witnessed our students’ laughter, smiling eyes, jokes, and kindnesses for each other. Westfield teachers and staff have extended themselves to make the past 9 days joyful. They have poured out their love for our students. Just like the lyrics of the song we sang in Meeting “Love is Something if you give it away. . . .you end up having more.” We have all been refilled with love and joy.
Tomorrow, we will take time from our regular academic program for a Quaker Friday devoted to Dr. Martin Luther King. The focus this year will be on the ways Dr. King partnered with diverse people during his life and inspired people after his death to join together in achieving ambitious, daunting, and community-transforming goals. Students will engage in service, in singing, in learning, and in reflection on what it means to them to live a purposeful life.
For service, Teacher Fozia has planned a project where older students will help younger students make no-sew blankets for distribution through local shelters. Teacher Carl and Ms. Fielding will lead a presentation on the importance of Stevie Wonder’s song “Happy Birthday” in establishing the national holiday celebrating Dr. King. While there are many ways for children to connect this story to their own lives and take inspiration, I hope they all come away with a glimmer of understanding of what it means to have hope, a vision, and perseverance over “the long haul.” Following this presentation and singing together, younger students will return to their classrooms to watch and discuss videos about Dr. King such, Martin's Big Words”, My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr by Martin Luther King III, or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Leader and a Hero. Older students will gather to read and discuss together Dr. King’s 1967 letter announcing the Poor People’s Campaign. Students will also read King’s letter inviting the American Friends Service Committee to join the campaign. They will consider how this campaign continues today and what they are inspired to do now in their community.
Last year, students were inspired to create social justice notecards.
We still have cards available for purchase. I look forward to what students will come up with next!
