Wednesday, February 12, 2025
While public schools closed on Monday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and legacy, East Rockaway High School students participated in an activity on Jan. 17 to honor the civil rights leader as part of the school’s celebration of Black History Month.
During the lesson, students watched a short video featuring children of varying ages reciting portions of King’s famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The video served as a reminder of King’s “call for unity, equality and justice.”
Following the video, students engaged in a discussion where they shared their own personal dreams for a better world.
Students responded to the prompts: “I have a dream that ______” and “I can make my dream come true by ______.”
For example, one student wrote,
“I have a dream that everyone will feel welcome in our school. I can make that happen by making friends with a new student.”
Another student shared, “I have a dream that our peers will communicate respectfully with each other. I can make that happen by only using kind words and not talking negatively about people.”
After the discussions, students wrote their dreams on bulletin "rocks," which will be part of a larger “Make Dreams a Reality” collage. The collage will be displayed in the hallway, allowing students to reflect on their dreams throughout the year.
The project is designed to encourage positive change within the school community and inspire students to take action toward achieving their goals.
The activity provided students with an opportunity to reflect on the values King championed, while also giving them a platform to voice their own aspirations for positive change.
By participating in this activity, East Rockaway students embraced the spirit of MLK’s vision, turning dreams into a tangible reminder of the power of positive change.
