Park Lodge Elementary Students Gain Perspective in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly

Future leaders at gained perspective on a pivotal social movement in the nation's history and a man who stood up for equal rights for minorities.

"How Are You Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?" was the theme at Friday morning's special assembly. Kids slowly filled in the gymnasium and experienced classroom presentations, and a creative and heart-felt demonstration in honor of King.

Every public school in Lakewood holds an MLK event. Park Lodge's was delayed because of the region's snowstorm last week.

The assembly began with a PowerPoint presentation by Kelly Foster's fifth-grade class as they collaborated with Tracy Abdella's kindergarten group.

Together, they showcased students holding signs displaying a word that King reflected.

One student held a sign that read, "proud.” Another held one that said, "dedicated."

"He was proud of what he did for his country," the student said. "He was dedicated to bringing blacks and whites together so they could be friends."

Park Lodge Principal Eric Richards thought the kids were able to reflect on one of the country's biggest turning points in racial equality.

"I think the kids get perspective on what life was like historically," Richards said. "Each year is always a little different."

Dawna Rosenberg’s class presented a visual timeline showing King's life.

It told of his life from his birth to his assassination on April 4, 1968. Each student played at least one role.

One of the parts depicted King as a boy playing with his Caucasian friend. The mother of the Caucasian kid said he was not allowed to play with the young King anymore because of the color of his skin.

Richards added that gaining a better understanding of how life was during that period will hopefully help Park Lodge be a better place to be.

The final piece to the MLK assembly was a skit performed by the Student Council. They acted out Rosa Parks' actions that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

A portion of King's famous "I have a Dream" speech was delivered to close the assembly as kids were escorted back to their classroom with a little more perspective on what life was like during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.