February 2, 2020
Dear parents,
Today is Groundhog Day and it looks like both Punxsutawney Phil and Buckeye Chuck predict SPRING! And today looks just like spring - sunny and beautiful! Keep your fingers crossed that spring is just around the corner.
February is Black History Month, where we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in U.S. history. At our dinner table, I talked with my children, Jackson and Alessia, about Black History month. I specifically shared about the impact that Dr. Maya Angelou has had on my life and career, exemplified by this quote that hangs in our home,
I have always been in awe of Dr. Angelou’s writing, her energy and heart, and her compassion. I have read many of her books, but the special memory I hold closest to my heart is the opportunity I had to hear her speak in March 2013 at an educational leadership conference in Chicago. Her words were so graceful. Her demeanor so comforting, and her impact, so powerful.
I shared with Jackson and Alessia some of the things she shared with us that day, including that as a young child, Dr. Angelou chose not to speak for 5 years after a series of traumatic events in her life, because she knew the impact of her words and that words were powerful. I also shared how she overcame her muteness by setting goals and eventually becoming fluent in six languages. I shared that she had multiple doctorate degrees and spoke at the United Nations and several Presidential inaugurations. I also shared that her friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated on her birthday, on April 4, 1968, and after that she sent flowers to Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King, every year until Mrs. King’s passing in 2006.
I ask all parents to consider exploring the impact of Black Americans in and on your life and sharing it with your child. Encourage them to learn more about Black History month. Here are some websites I found interesting and helpful.
https://www.familyeducation.com/entertainment-activities/black-history-month
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/teaching-your-child-about-black-history-month
http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=706
https://www.cnn.com/2013/04/04/us/maya-angelou-fast-facts/index.html
My best,
Melissa K-L
Melissa Klosterman-Lando, Principal at Montrose Elementary, Bexley City School District
Montrose Elementary's website
Follow Montrose Elementary on Twitter at @BexleyMontrose
Engage. Empower. Equip.
BEXLEY CITY SCHOOLS CALENDAR for 2020-2021
School Calendar for 2020-2021
ELEMENTARY MENU
https://www.bexleyschools.org/Downloads/elementary%2019-20%20master.pdf
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Thursday, February 6th: Parent teacher conference night for all three elementary schools (Your child’s teacher may have arranged for conferences on a different evening.)
• Tuesday, February 18th: PTO Meeting, 7-8 p.m. at Montrose Library
• Tuesday, February 25th: Dr. Hassan Jeffries, Associate Professor of History at OSU, will host "Everything Your Children Wanted To Know About Race But Were Afraid to Ask." The presentation will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Montrose Elementary School Library and is open to the public.
• Wednesday, February 26th: Bexley City Schools and Bexley Education Foundation are hosting State of the Schools beginning at 5:45 p.m. The event will be hosted inside the Schottenstein Theater located at 326 S. Cassingham Rd, Bexley OH 43209. The BEF Educator of the Year Award will be presented and updates on the strategic plan will be provided.
• Saturday, February 29th: Montrose’s Annual Fun For All from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 28, 2020: Celebrate Bexley Schools at Bexley Education Foundation’s BRAVO! at St. Charles Preparatory School. For tickets
click here.