Education

District 24 shares their dreams for MLK Day

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In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, students in Valley Stream Union Free School District Twenty-Four did activities designed to raise awareness and understanding of the monumental advancements in civil rights led by Dr. King. William L. Buck Elementary School held a service day on January 13 in remembrance of the holiday, not simply as a day off from school, but as an opportunity to give back and celebrate the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s contributions by finding ways to apply his teachings in our everyday lives.

Some of the service day activities included students making cards for the handicapped and senior residents at The Bristal Assisted Living Center in Lynbrook as well as decorating and filling over 100 bags with snacks for seniors. The bags were provided courtesy of Meals on Wheels: a not-for-profit organization supporting thousands of senior citizens on Long Island facing isolation and food insecurities through food deliveries and health checks.  In addition, the hallways of William L. Buck were filled with artwork dedicated to Dr. King, including a collage of the American civil rights pioneer created by the students with drawings of peace signs surrounding his mural.

Students at Robert W. Carbonaro Elementary School commemorated the holiday by conducting a school community-wide project. Students were able to work on their “I Have a Dream” hands which were displayed building-wide to reflect the school’s hopes and collective dreams of the students and staff. Students also had the opportunity to discuss how meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Day is and share what their own dreams are for themselves, their friends and family, and for the world.

Brooklyn Avenue School’s theme for the school year is: “We are many; we are one.” As the students continue to study the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., they are reminded that we are all different, unique, and special. To celebrate the legacy and teachings of Dr. King, the students in kindergarten through sixth grade were asked to decorate a paper doll that they could work on with their families. The cut-out paper dolls will represent the students’ different cultures, traditions, and interests. The main lobby will be adorned with the students’ dolls to celebrate their differences and to serve as symbols of peace and unity consistent with the teachings of Dr. King.