Celebrating Black History Month at District 228

Even with the ongoing pandemic, students and staff at Bremen High School District 228 were dedicated to celebrating Black History Month throughout February. In previous years, fests or celebrations would typically take place at the schools. However, Diversity Club members at Bremen, Tinley Park, Hillcrest, and Oak Forest High Schools had to get creative this year.

At Bremen High School, students wanted to embrace the national theme for African-American History Month which celebrated the Black Family. Diversity Club asked students and staff to submit pictures/videos of what their family looks like and what family means to them in 30-60 second TikTok style videos. Submissions could include poems, original song performances, parodies, lip syncs, musical talents, and family interviews. Creativity was encouraged.

These videos were then compiled and presented at the school’s virtual Black History Month Assemble on February 26.

Additionally, the school shared a “Black Quote of the Day” to the school's Twitter page (@BremenNation), offered virtual streaming of movies that celebrated Black History every Thursday, and asked staff to wear Dashikis, Black History t-shirts, or headwraps on Fridays.

At Tinley Park High School, the Seekers Diversity Club encouraged students to answer a daily trivia question relating to black history. These questions were posted daily to the school’s Twitter page (@TinleyParkHigh). Anyone who participated and answered trivia questions was then entered into a weekly drawing for a $10 gift card.

Students could also enter an essay contest and spoken word video contest.

Essay prompts included:

• Who do you think is the most influential African-American figure in the world?

• What do you think is the most important movement in black history?

Students could answer one or both questions in an essay. Spoken word videos had to educate peers about Black History. Those who submitted an essay or spoken word video were eligible to win one of three $20 gift cards. Winners include: Marwa Naji, Heaven Hickman, Jabyron Matthews, and Gionna Haines.

Diversity Club leaders/students Gabby Martin, Marena Moorer, and Peyton Fox also helped decorate display cases at the school that featured prominent African-Americans, as well as a timeline of Black History.

Furthermore, Gabby and Marena led two presentations on everyday culture, where they shared fascinating information about the evolution of black hairstyles and discussed fashion and cuisine. At the second meeting, they discussed the influence of African-Americans on American music and film.

At Hillcrest High School, various clubs got involved to host:

• An African and African-American Art Display (Art Club)
• A virtual performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (Band & Choir)
• A class teaching students how to make traditional African-American recipes (Culinary Club)
• Exploration of African-American Poetry (Flight Poetry Club)
• African Dance virtual display and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBU) Round Table (Diversity Club)
• Virtual photo displays from Hillcrest students and notable African-American photographers (Photography Club)
• Important figures of African-American History posted to the Hillcrest Twitter Page (@HCHawkEye)
• Graphic Design Students created Black History Month posters for the school library

At Oak Forest High School, the Diversity Club hosted a Black History Month Art Contest. Students and staff were asked to submit a variety of art on a variety of topics which include civil rights leaders, African American Icons, black entrepreneurs, celebrities, sports heroes, etc. Creativity was welcomed.

Any and all mediums were encouraged which included digital art, handmade art with construction paper, poster board chalk, colored pencils, crayons, paint, markers, beads, watercolor, pipe cleaners, etc.

Oak Forest High School Art Teacher, Mr. Dan Chambers served as the honorary judge of the contest. The top three entries will receive a gift card. Winners have not been chosen yet

Additionally, the Library hosted a Black History Month Display with favorite reads, and the Diversity Club sponsored a Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” collage in the social studies hallway. Students could stop by and write one of their own wishes or dreams on a post-it and place it next to some of MLK's quotes.