Good ole’ February! It’s a favorite month and those of us at Hamilton Branch #3 had good reason to believe it. We read stories about Ground Hog Day in January so that, even though we’d be at home -on Ground Hog Day, we’d know to look for our shadows on February 2. We didn’t see it, so we were supposed to have six weeks of good weather. Something went wrong! Then came a very full week with a Shrove Tuesday Luncheon when the Faculty had a scrumptious Pancake and Ham observance ala New Orleans when Mrs. Deavens, our principal, explained the custom as observed in her native town, New Orleans. We were ably assisted by parents from each room who came and had lunch with the children and took “noon duty” so the entire staff could participate. This was also the beginning of Black History Week. so we all wore black, white, or handsome combinations of black and white.
The gym was beautifully decorated all during February with huge silhouettes of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and St. Valentine’s traditional Red Heart. Students made very attractive boxes which sat outside each door to receive Valentines from other rooms and each other. The big day was observed by everyone who remembered wearing Red and White on February 14. We opened Valentines after lunch and ended the day with an All-SchoolHop in the gym. Each child received a box of candy hearts as he reluctantly left the Hop to return to his room where there was additional treats for them.
Every class had a lesson on Lincoln and Washington with stories, films, poems, and songs.
Our last February Activity is observance of Brotherhood Week. We strive to keep this constantly before the children so each room with “do his own thing” with this celebration. Together, we had the privilege of having the well-known Metropolitan Opera baritone, Robert McFerrin, come to our- school and sing for and with us as we learned more about folk music. This was a rare treat and was very much enjoyed by our children and staff, parents, and especially invited guests from the District Office. Mrs. Marian Morgan, our Vocal Music Supervisor, assisted with this program.
On our first and second floor walls are huge collages of famous black Americans. We invite you all to come view them.
Can you wonder why we love the month of February?
Originally published in The Paper, March 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1975_03.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
