Glen Cove Students Celebrate Diversity

-Eighth-grade students at R. M. Finley Middle School celebrated Black History Month with a workshop led by Tracy Garrison-Feinberg of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

During the two-day event, which was organized by social studies teachers Meredith Murolo and Danielle Treder, students were introduced to the study of Black History Month and listened closely as Garrison-Feinberg recited George Ella Lyon’s poem “Where I’m From.” They then wrote a poem involving the origin of their name. The activity provided them an opportunity to reflect on diversity and cultural awareness as they pondered the question, “What makes me, me?”

Throughout the event, students continued exploring topics of black history, tolerance and culture awareness. As part of the workshop, they viewed the film, “Should Black History Be: More Than a Month?” and took part in a thoughtful discussion on what they learned. They also reviewed quotes from famous African-Americans and reflected on how those quotes still resonate today.

Using the quotes and their own reflections, the students traced their hands, which serve as leaves on a 10-ft. tree, which was created by the school’s art teachers Michelle McLaughlin and Torrie Zimmerman.

Story by Syntax, Photos courtesy of the Glen Cove City School District:

1. Tracy Garrison-Feinberg of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County spoke to Finley eighth-graders during a Black History Month wokshop held at their school.
2. Eighth-graders Marlon Rivera and Maria Valle showed off the traced hands they created.
3. Social studies teacher Danielle Treder discussed the “Where I’m From” poem with students Tammie Perez and Arianna Farro.