28 Jan 2004
DISD Students Celebrate with Music, Food & Dance
DALLAS—Students in the Dallas Independent School district will be participating in and celebrating African-American Heritage Month from Feb. 1 to Feb. 29.
African-American Heritage Month began when Carter G. Woodson, noted black scholar and historian and son of former slaves, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. It was later renamed the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson initiated Black History Week, Feb. 12, 1926 or the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, as part of the nation's bicentennial, it was expanded and became known as Black History Month.
The association has selected the national theme since 1926. This year's theme is Before Brown, Beyond Boundaries: 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Topeka Board of Education.
Students at Pearl C. Anderson Middle Learning Center, 3600 Garden Lane, will have a fine arts assembly on Feb. 19 and go on field trips. The students will have a quiz bowl and will also enjoy an essay competition related to this year's theme.
On Feb. 20, Southwestern Christian College Choir will perform at Martin Weiss Elementary School, 8601 Willoughby Blvd. On Feb. 26, the school will host their Third Annual Read-A-Thon where various African-Americans from the community will read to different classes. Among them will be board trustees Hollis Brashear, Ron Price, Lew Blackburn, retired teachers and administrators and the local media. On Feb. 27, the school will have a luncheon with Rev. Armond Brown serving as the guest speaker.
Students at Martha Turner Reilly Elementary School, 11230 Lippitt Ave., will host their annual Black History Program. The program will consist of famous African-American skits, creative dance, singing and much more. To top off their month, the school will have a soul food luncheon for the staff.
For more information call the local school.