Mirror Lake Elementary Students Meet Living History for Black History Month

Mirror Lake Elementary School third and fourth graders were treated to some living history on Thursday to kickoff Black History Month, as Dr. Evelyn Bethune visited their classroom.

Dr. Bethune is the CEO of the Mary McLeod Bethune Educational Legacy Foundation and granddaughter of Mary Jane McLeod Buthune, a civil rights leader and American hero that the third graders study.

"It was the best day ever because I got to meet the granddaughter of a famous person," fourth grader Javion Surles said.

"Dr. Bethune's visit gave students a greater understanding of Black History Month," Principal Cathy Swanger said.  "The children were mesmerized with her stories. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Bethune visit Mirror Lake Elementary School."

Bethune spoke to Janine Dean's third grade class.

"Dr. Evelyn Bethune visited our school today to celebrate all of the contributions her grandmother made to our country," Dean said. "Mary McLeod Bethune is a famous American hero that we study in third grade. We learned about the obstacles she faced, how her contributions affected our rights and freedoms, and what character traits she possessed that helped her to be so successful. Dr. Bethune's visit made a historical person come alive! All of the students were excited to learn more about Mary McLeod Bethune."

Here are more events being held this month by the :

Speakers and Performances

Turner Middle School
Black History Month celebration will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 9:30 a.m. in the school gym. Dr. Tamica Jones, Clark Atlanta University Athletic Director and CEO/President of TJ Sports Complete, will be the keynote speaker. There will also be performances by the chorus, band and a few students.


John Hope Bryant will speak at Alexander on Feb. 15 at 9 a.m. as part of the school’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Bryant is a philanthropic entrepreneur and leader in the business of empowerment. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, vice chair of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, and chairman of the Under-Served Committee for the U.S. President's Council.


A group of students will present the play "Women of Excellence Awards" to the student body on Feb. 29 at 1:30 p.m.  


Two Black History programs will be held on Feb. 28, one at 2:30 p.m. for students and the other at 7 p.m. for students, parents and the community.


A Black History Program will be presented on February 29 at 1:15 p.m. and will feature interactive skits, drumming from “Burnett Beat,” a professional storyteller (highlighting Madam C. J.  Walker), and Burnett’s “All Boys” Step Team.

– 21st Century After School Program
Students will be making Black History presentations at the monthly parent meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m.  

The Knight Idol Talent Show will be Friday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Celebrate Cultural Diversity through Black History Program on Friday, Feb. 17 at 8:45 a.m. in the school gym.

Walk of Fame – Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium. View presentations of famous African Americans by kindergarten through 5th grade students.

Lithia Springs High School
Black History program will be held on Feb. 28 and 29 during all English classes. The program will include the Art, Music, and Theatre Departments, Step Team, and Dance Team. Other students will participate in various ways. They will focus on the talents of famous African Americans.


African American storyteller Auntie Renee will perform for students on Feb. 29.

Mt. Carmel Elementary School
On Feb. 29 each homeroom will provide representation of a famous African American as the culminating event for the month in a presentation to the school. Essay writing and poster contests are also on schedule.

A “Stepper” Dance assembly is tentatively planned.  


Speakers have been invited for presentations during Black History Month.

Sweetwater Elementary School
Drama presentation of “Believe in Yourself” is set for Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m.

Other Activities

Alexander High School
The media center will display books and artifacts from historical figures. The social studies department has a hallway display of historical events and people related to Black History Month.

Annette Winn Elementary School
Each grade level will learn about famous Americans and students have been assigned a project that will relate to Black History Month. A broadcast presentation is made each morning for broadcast throughout the school.


A fifth grade student will present information regarding a famous African American to the student body during morning announcements. All grade levels will participate in a variety of activities. Examples include researching and writing about prominent African Americans. Bulletin boards will display famous African Americans who have contributed to our country’s heritage.

Beulah Elementary School
Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit will be on display Feb. 13 through 17. Daily announcements will be made. Most classes are using trade books about famous African Americans during their reading assignment.  

Bright Star Elementary School
Each class focuses on one famous Black American during the month of February. A Black History fact will be read during the morning BSES news. BSES Diversity Week is Feb. 27 through March 2. Each grade level will celebrate their diversity including family heritage, family differences, student likes/dislikes.


The Burnett News will showcase an ongoing PowerPoint presentation where each class can compete for a specific classroom prize. Students will participate in a school-wide Scavenger Hunt where each individual student can earn a special reward by answering questions posted around the halls. On Feb. 17 students and teachers will participate in the “Black History Within Your Standards” door/hallway contest.  


Students will be involved in a variety of classroom activities to highlight important African Americans and their contributions during Black History Month.  These activities include the use of an interactive website that simulates the escape and journey to freedom for slaves and research projects on famous African Americans. 


A contest question is read every morning regarding a prominent figure in black history. A college fair featuring predominately black colleges was planned for February but has been moved to the first weekend in March.

Daily announcements will be made. Students will be researching and writing papers about African Americans who changed America.


An announcement will be made each morning called “A Moment in Black History.” A Black History Fashion Week is planned for the week of Feb. 13 through 17.  A reflection and tribute on African American music will be held Feb. 6 thorugh 10 and students will listen to blues, jazz, and pop music during lunch time in the cafeteria.


A moment is Black History is featured in the morning announcement each day. Famous Black  American’s information is posted in hallways and the literacy department is doing writing reflections.

A famous African American will be chosen whose name corresponds with a letter in the alphabet. The contribution that the person made to society will be announced and the students have to guess the name of the person. The first student with the correct answer receives a prize. Students recently recreated the Martin Luther King, Jr. March on Washington throughout the school. Parent volunteers will dress as famous African Americans and read a book to various classes. School will have a Culture Corner highlighting the accomplishments of various African Americans. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Display–We Are Giving “Peace” A Hand. Artwork with student handprints will be on display explaining how they will promote peace.


All grade levels are incorporating Black History instruction in their general curriculum. This is done through research, writing, and non-fiction reading.


All grade levels are incorporating Black History instruction in their general curriculum. This is done through research, writing, and non-fiction reading. Daily facts and important events in Black History will be featured during morning and afternoon announcements.


Black History Month is celebrated by highlighting the historical contributions of African Americans in the present and past through Social Studies classes and the announcements.  The school will also sponsor an essay contest.  African American contributions to music and the fine arts will be highlighted through band and chorus. 

Holly Springs Elementary School
Fifth grade students will share a Black History fact daily during morning assembly.

Lithia Springs Elementary School
The school has a Black History Museum created by the students, and students have written informative papers on African Americans who have advanced American culture. Students will tour the museum. The 2011-2012 theme is Black History: Make The DREAM Come True! School-wide bulletin boards are displaying important facts regarding Black History Month.

Lithia Springs High School
Media Department will present Black History trivia questions daily and provide prizes for the students with the correct answers. Historical websites will be spotlighted.  

Mason Creek Elementary School
Students are reading about, writing about and performing poetry readings, singing songs or reciting parts of famous speeches and presenting their work in morning assembly in a variety of formats. All classrooms decorated their door with information about famous African Americans and their accomplishments.

Mason Creek Middle School
A black history question is read during the morning announcements twice a week. The answers are given to the homeroom and names are turned into the office where a drawing is held each week for an ice cream pass. On Fridays, the principal will take a group of students to elementary schools to read (Mason Creek Reads). During the month of February, the reading selections will include authors and books chosen to represent black history month.

Mirror Lake Elementary School
Daily announcements composed and read by students will spotlight specific contributions made by various African Americans. Media center has a book display featuring famous African Americans. The PTA has a Black History Month bulletin board in the main hallway.

Mt. Carmel Elementary School
Black History Month has been integrated into the curriculum. A famous African American is recognized daily by the Ram Crew though a Power Point presented to the school.

New Manchester Elementary School
Harlem Renaissance Jazz music will play daily in the cafeteria during lunch.

New Manchester High School
The school will have a daily spotlight and trivia question each morning during announcements. 

New Manchester Elementary School
A fifth grade teacher will produce a video of students providing information and songs that will be played on a regularly scheduled basis on the school’s TV network. All grade levels will be able to access the program at various times that will fit in with their schedules. Walk of Fame – All month. Each class will spotlight a famous African American on the bulletin board outside the classroom. Classes will tour the Walk of Fame and answer the trivia questions provided to them along the way.

Performance Learning Center
Each week in February the PLC is highlighting a prominent African American person that has made a contribution to the everyday lives of our students.


Announcements will be made recognizing the contributions that African Americans have made and the impact they have had on our country. Teachers will provide instruction on famous African Americans during class throughout the month.


The Black History Month Creation, Invention and Inspiration Contest starts Feb. 6 and contest winners will be announced Feb. 29. Black History Month Jeopardy Tournament is scheduled during 6th and 7th periods on Feb. 17. Black History Month trivia held during homeroom. A Black Education History exhibit will be in the main hallway for the entire month.

Sweetwater Elementary School
Events/activities planned include hall displays of the time line of Black History Notables, Famous Black Artists/Historians/Sports Figures; Fifth Grade Classroom Essays; and morning or afternoon announcements.

Every grade level will participate in a variety of activities. Examples include researching and writing about prominent African Americans; read books and present reports which include a poster, mural, diorama or Power Point presentation. Students will have the opportunity to take “field trips” to view the projects of their neighboring classrooms. Daily announcements will be made.

Black History trivia facts are announced each day in February during morning announcements.