PAK fifth-graders are inspired by Black history

Did you know that Black History Month is celebrated in Canada and the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States? February was chosen as Black History Month in part because it is the birth month of both Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln, two people who were instrumental in Black history in our country. A woman with short blond hair crouches down next to a fifth-grade student and points at her Chromebook. The girl has her dark curly hair pulled back into a ponytail. Both are wearing masks and looking intently at the screen.

Fifth-grade students at Pakanasink Elementary School learned those facts and many more as part of a Black History Month activity with Jenna Jonza, a school psychology intern at PAK. Ms. Jonza had each fifth-grade class watch two brief videos about Black History Month. Then they discussed some well-known figures in history, science, entertainment, sports and other areas who are Black.

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a blue mask and a long brown poncho holds an envelope out for a student. The student, whose back is to the camera, has multiple braids, is wearing a white hooded jacket and is reaching into the envelope to choose stickers.

The students went online to look up thoughtful and inspiring quotes from Black leaders. They put much thought and effort into finding words that were meaningful to them personally. Their teachers, Ms. Jonza and Assistant Principal Colleen Delles all helped whenever needed to assist the students in their search.

A fifth-grade girl holds up a pink piece of construction paper. On it is written "If you're always trying to be normal, you will never know how awesome you can be. Maya Angelou". There is a blue boarder drawn around it.

Maya Angelou, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Simone Biles and Michelle Obama were just a few of the influential Black Americans the students looked to for their inspiration. A fifth-grade girl holds a piece of green construction paper up in front of her. There is a fancy blue boarder all around it with multi-color dots here and there. The quote on the page sais "I'm not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I'm the first Simone Biles."

After choosing their quote, the students created their quote pages. They wrote the quote and decorated it with their own unique style. The quote pages will be posted in the hallway for all to see and be inspired by!

A group of four fifth-grade girl hold their quote pages. They all are wearing masks and have construction paper in front of them. On each sheet, is an inspirational quote written by them from a Black leader in our history.

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