Teaching King’s values through empathy

The Glen Cove City School District has ensured students realize that they are more alike than different. But the lessons didn’t only come through a lecture or reading books. Instead, students spoke with classmates they normally would not interact with. And they did so in a place where they usually sat separately eating their lunch.
Students were assigned random seating arrangements in the Connolly Elementary School cafeteria, providing an opportunity for them to learn about their peers in ways that otherwise might not have been possible. The lesson aimed to foster a sense of common ground among the students. It encouraged them to share aspects of their lives, interests, and backgrounds. As a result, students discovered they had much in common, such as a love for dogs and various extracurricular activities.
While in their classrooms, students learned lessons on the life and the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. They were tasked with selecting and interpreting a significant quote from the civil rights leader. Then they created visual representations of their chosen quotes and discussed how it resonated with their lives and the world around them.
When asked about the inspiration behind the actives, Bryce Klatsky, principal of Connolly Elementary School, said it was a collaborative effort between him and Jacklyn Burnett, principal of Landing Elementary School. Both educators sought to celebrate the holiday while emphasizing the similarities among students and building empathy.
Klatsky plans to repeat the activity because the outcome was positive, he said. This heartwarming initiative not only celebrated the legacy of King, but also allowed students to connect, understand, and appreciate their similarities and differences. The success of this activity has left a lasting impression, signaling a promising future for similar endeavors at the school.
“Part of his message was about building relationships with people that you don’t normally talk to,” Klatsky said. “I heard some students talking about countries they came from. Some students was talking about activities they liked outside of school, or that they might not have known that so-and-so played soccer or these other students did ballet or something like that.”