Black History Month hits Uniondale schools

It’s not often that Black history is appreciated, taught and celebrated as it should be in America. Even in more liberal states like New York, many people hear “Black history,” and the first thoughts they have are of struggle, pain, suffering and resilience — not about Black Americans’ significant contributions to the advancement of our society.

From personal computers, security cameras, building heating systems and traffic lights to peanut butter, GPS and even the Super Soaker, Black people have contributed to advancements in everyday American life in immeasurable ways.

“Our history didn’t start with slavery and doesn’t end with the civil rights movement,” said Uniondale Schools Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil. “We had a history before we brought to the Americas, and since then we have made contributions to every aspect of American life, from policy, to laws, to food, to culture, to music, to science, and scientific inventions — and that’s not something that is always highlighted or celebrated.”

In Uniondale, the district is working to ensure that is not an issue for its students. All throughout February, students of all ages will be participating in events and workshops in honor of the contributions made by Black Americans — such as a “living wax museum” showcasing the lives of extraordinary Black Americans at California Avenue. Grand Avenue will focus on teaching students about the Harlem Renaissance, and Northern Parkway will be looking at how Black women throughout history have contributed to advancements in American society, their impact on the women’s suffrage movement, the work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his dream, and what needs to be done to ensure it is realized, and the history of Africans throughout the diaspora.

Smith Street elementary is creating a “living museum,” and encourages parents and students to come and tour the school to learn about historical “African Americans and the Arts” on Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. Each grade will work on their own exhibit, with each class choosing a person they want to highlight. Kindergartners will help create a culinary arts exhibit, first-graders will be making an exhibit of artists, second-graders are assigned musicians, third-graders have film, fourth-graders will be covering dance, and fifth-graders will focus on prominent Black writers.

In addition, Walnut Street is planning a Black History Performance that will include songs, dances, poetry and skits by the students. The middle schools will study Black Wall Street and take a deeper dive into the Harlem Renaissance, and there will be a book display full of novels written by Black authors at Lawrence Road. At the high school, students will perform music, dances and Black History Month skits.

But Black history isn’t celebrated for just a month out of the year, especially in this school district, according to the superintendent.

“During Black History Month, we are definitely doing a lot of work throughout the district in terms of classroom instruction, special programs, and special events,” Darrisaw-Akil explained, “just as a way to kind of cap off the work that takes place all throughout the year.

“It is very important that we’re integrating the teaching of multiple perspectives around American history all throughout the year, not just during the month of February,” she added. “That's something that we’re committed to.”

The superintendent also said that one of her favorite aspects of Black History Month as an educator is teaching about and celebrating the “unsung heroes,” who don’t get the recognition they deserve, such as those who organized the first workers’ unions, and the first Black senators and legislators who served after Reconstruction but before Jim Crow.

“I think it is really important to us that our kids know that everyone can’t be Doctor King,” Darrisaw-Akil said, “but everyone can make an impact in their own way. You can be a scientist, you could be a judge, you can be anything you believe and work towards.”

For more information on events and showcases in the Uniondale school district, visit District.UniondaleSchools.org, or call (516) 560-8800.