Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In mid-January, the Upper and Lower Schools held their annual assemblies to honor the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as reflect, learn, and make plans to engage in making the world a better place. 

 
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”  — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Letter From Birmingham Jail
 
In the Upper School assembly, a student focused her seventh-grade speech on ways that we can make the world a better place and touched upon the times she had been impacted by racial stereotypes. The speech was capped off with an homage to Dr. King and the request to “Think positively toward other people . . . stereotypes can lead to discrimination . . . when you meet someone new, please don’t judge them based on their appearance.”  The Upper School Youth Voice Equity and Inclusion Officers closed the assembly with a presentation about ten modern Black civil rights leaders.
 
The Lower School assembly kicked off with the echo song Sing About Martin by Miss Jackie. 
 
Sing about Martin
Sing about Martin
Sing about caring
Sing about caring
Sing about peace 
Sing about peace
All around the world
All around the world 
 
Ms. Mandelstein introduced some freedom songs from the acapella group Sweet Honey in the Rock. She led the group in singing This Little Light of Mine, We Shall Not Be Moved, and We Shall Overcome
 
Students also led portions of the assembly, including a mindful moment, and reflections on what they learned about Dr. King: 
 
“I learned that he...tried to make things right” 
 
Fourth graders made a special presentation called "Our Dreams" where they shared their hopes for the future including equality for all, no hunger, the end of pollution, and peace in the world. 
 
To learn more about how Burke's is committed to empowering girls to be agents of positive change in their school, the community, and the world, click here.
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Burke's mission is to educate, encourage and empower girls. Our school combines academic excellence with an appreciation for childhood so that students thrive as learners, develop a strong sense of self, contribute to community, and fulfill their potential, now and throughout life.
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