2024年2月26日

Students from each division and ProCom members brought hip hop to life at the recent 较低的学校 assembly titled “When the Beat Was Born: A Celebration of Black History Month and the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop.” Class IV students, Abby A.艾米莉亚·B.——塞西尔·B.-A.赛奇·B. introduced the 50th anniversary of hip hop—sharing the art form’s roots in the Black community in the Bronx and how hip hop culture focuses on self-expression. They also shared their own connections to hip hop, including family histories and personal reflections.

较低的学校ers were then introduced to the five pillars of hip hop and corresponding experiences. 黑麦R. ’27 introduced MC-ing and shared an original poem about the power of music. Ms. Spridellis introduced DJing and taught about turntables and the breakbeat. Ms. Tyner's 中学 hip hop minimester participants introduced breakdance with a dance performance. 杰达C. ’25 introduced graffiti and shared videos of contemporary graffiti artists in action. 黑麦 & Jada closed assembly with a discussion about the importance of knowledge that led into a reading of When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop 作者:拉班·卡里克·希尔. Throughout the assembly, Class III students (Jordana J.-C.Laline M.，诺拉·W.和Soleil M.) shared quotes from hip hop icons like Queen Latifah, 金属氧化物半导体Def, 杰斯, 小姑娘艾略特, Tupac Shakur, 还有梅根. To close assembly, 较低的学校ers were encouraged to "start small" (the LS theme for the year!) by making their own art of any form inspired by hip hop artists.

On each Friday of the February during recess time, 较低的学校 students had the option to gather in the LS 图书馆 to hear stories celebrating African American culture, read by African American identifying professional community members. At the African American Read-In, Head of 上学校 Ms. Foster-Hinds读 The Light She Feels Inside 格温多林·华莱士著. 三班老师. Milbourne读 城市之歌 丹尼尔·伯恩斯特罗姆. 幼儿园老师. Prindilus读 Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Jessica Curry and Parker Curry. 上学校 Assistant Ms. 史密斯读 别碰我的头发! 作者:谢莉·米勒. 音乐老师. 只有读 我的街区长什么样 作者:Janelle Harper. Head of Upper 中学 Ms. St. 让读 我选择成为的自己 娜塔莎·塔普利著.

中学 students perused a “A Gallery of Creatives,” throughout the auditorium and balcony, 纪念黑人艺术家. In alignment with this year’s Black History Month theme of African Americans and the Arts, Classes V–VIII learned about Black artists like Alvin Ailey, Maya Angelou, Jean-Michele演艺界, 碧昂丝, 吉米·亨德里克斯, 蓝斯顿休斯, 卓拉·尼尔·赫斯顿, Edmonia刘易斯, 托妮·莫里森, 奥古斯塔的野蛮人, Sza, 爱丽丝·沃克, 举几个例子. Class VIII students also watched the inauguration poem, “The Hill We Climb,” by Amanda Gorman.

在高中, students promoted awareness, 理解, and appreciation of Black history and contributions through a series of presentations. During class meeting times, students either shared reading excerpts about Black history with short analysis, or shared artistic creations inspired by Black Culture or presentations on lesser-known figures in Black history. The Ladies of Color Stand club also hosted a breakfast open to all 上学校 students to celebrate Black History Month.

The Parents Association hosted a breakfast honoring Black heritage alongside our community members. As students entered through the blue doors, they were greeted by the musicians of Vado Diomande, who played the vibrant rhythms of West African Drumming. The morning culminated in an interactive dance session.