A Month of Meaning: GCPS Schools Celebrate Black History Month

     Our schools celebrated Black History Month this school year through various events and school-led initiatives that honor those who have impacted culture and history for the African American community and beyond.

Central Gwinnett High School

• Central Gwinnett High School kicked off Black History Month in style with “Soul Week.” Each day featured a theme for students to follow, such as Cultural Heritage Day and “Dress like a Black Trailblazer.” There were also a series of showcases where students could congregate and enjoy Black excellence through music, dance, and other presentations.

 

Crews Middle School

• Crews Middle School celebrated Black History Month by hosting a door decorating contest, Historically Black College and University Fair, and displaying posters of Black History Facts.

 

Dacula Elementary School

• Dacula Elementary School hosted a newscast to commemorate Black History Month. Teachers also highlighted the people, and contributions of impactful Black Americans. The school also hosted a schoolwide art contest for students to display what Black History Month means to them.

 

Duluth Middle School

• Duluth Middle School hosted a Black History program where students performed on the final Friday of Black History Month. Duluth Middle presented Black History facts in its daily announcements and had a door decorating contest displaying the contributions of Black Americans.

 

 

Freeman’s Mill Elementary School

• Freeman's Mill Elementary kicked off Black History Month with a special performance by the Brenau University Dancers accompanied by Madia Cooper-Ashirifi, chair and associate professor of Dance at Brenau University, and drummer Kofi Mawoko. In addition, the Freeman’s Mill Elementary Force (Step Team) also performed.

 

 

 

Grace Snell Middle School

• Grace Snell Middle School held an art contest to celebrate African American history. The prompt for the contest was “What does Black History Mean to You?” The school also hosted a spirit week, daily trivia, a wall decorating contest, and a Family Engagement night to celebrate the month.

 

Graves Elementary School

• Graves Elementary School hosted an educational Black History Month kickoff event to celebrate the cultural heritage and contributions of African Americans. The event featured several activities, including a performance by the school’s dance team, which told a story about Black history through the artistry of dance.

 

Gwin Oaks Elementary School

• At Gwin Oaks Elementary School, staff who attended a Historically Black College or University filmed a segment for the morning announcements to talk about their alma maters. This was followed by videos about each university. Additionally, school staff, who are also members of Black Greek Lettered Organizations, recorded segments to discuss their organizations. The media center showed slides that gradually revealed an invention, challenging students to guess what it was. Throughout the month, slides like “This or That” and “Truth Be Told” all centered around Black History. These slides challenged students to recall Black history facts and engage with each other to find answers. Additionally, two cultural arts programs were dedicated to telling the stories of Jackie Robinson and Harriet Tubman through performances by two actors.

 

Jackson Elementary School

• Jackson Elementary School celebrated Black History Month with a segment on its morning announcements for teachers to share initiatives they’re leading in their classroom. Some teachers, who attended Historically Black Colleges or Universities, or are members of the “Divine 9,” (Black Greek Lettered Organizations) shared their experiences with the school community. The school also hosted a trivia competition, allowing classes to compete for a prize, and invited a Soul Food restaurant to cater and educate the school community on the origins of many well-known African American cuisines.

 

Jones Middle School

• Jones Middle School celebrated Black History Month by highlighting the achievements of Black Americans past and present. Each school day, the school’s Media Center displayed slides featuring various prominent African Americans, from rapper Kendrick Lamar to Former President Obama. Additionally, the Media Center displayed books by African American authors for students to read.

 

Lilburn Middle School

• To celebrate Black History Month at Lilburn Elementary School, guest speakers from Lilburn and the surrounding community came to share personal anecdotes and words of encouragement with students. Students participated in the event by decorating the school, serving as hosts, and acting as “news anchors” interviewing the special guests on the morning Social Emotional Learning moment show. Some of those guests included Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan, a member of the Gwinnett County Board of Education, and Latasha Aikerson, president of the North Metro National Pan-Hellenic Council.

 

 

 

Lovin Elementary School

• Lovin Elementary School celebrated Black History by hosting a Black History Wax Museum. Students created poster boards, speeches, and outfits to pay homage to influential Black figures in history.

 

 

McClure Health Science School

• McClure Health Science School held an array of events and initiatives for students during Black History Month, including a Cookout, fundraisers, and a presentation of a mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Meadowcreek Elementary School

• Meadowcreek Elementary School celebrated Black History Month by highlighting historical and innovative Black leaders. Students recognized the honorees in daily announcements. Students also hosted a virtual Black History Month Concert featuring Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tina Turner. Additionally, the school hosted a school-wide spirit week for students to celebrate.

 

Minor Elementary School

• Minor Elementary School celebrated Black History by hosting Black History related events. They also encouraged students and staff to wear designated colors and African attire. Students also had the opportunity to participate in weekly Black History Month trivia for prizes.

 

North Metro Academy of Performing Arts

• North Metro Academy of Performing Arts hosted a Black History Month spirit week with days like Pan-African Day, Neon Day, Black Education Day, and a Black History Presentation for all students to observe.

 

Parsons Elementary School

• Parsons Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Association invited Jerry G. White, a speaker and performer. White shared the story of Anansi, the spider who taught humans to weave the Kente cloth, a symbol of African unity and heritage.

 

Roberts Elementary School

• Roberts Elementary teachers and staff decorated their doors in honor of Black History Month. All participating teachers and staff selected a different person to highlight and recognize. 

 

Seckinger High School

• During Black History Month, Seckinger High School hosted Gwinnett County Public Schools graduate Imani Ellis, a successful chief executive officer (CEO) and entrepreneur. As the Founder and CEO of CultureCon and The Creative Collective, Ellis created a community dedicated to facilitating spaces for Black and Brown creative professionals. She visited the school to share her inspiring journey and spoke to the Language Arts, Marketing, Guitar, and Civics classes. Ellis engaged in various discussions and answered students’ questions.

 

Stripling Elementary School

• Stripling Elementary School spent Black History Month highlighting various Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) throughout the building. Each grade level or team selected an HBCU to research and display in the hallway, focusing on different aspects or features of each institution. Stripling Elementary also provided students weekly trivia cards with daily questions about HBCUs. Students could turn in their trivia cards each Friday to win a prize.