Taking a Stand
Upper and Lower School held their annual assemblies to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as reflect on how to engage in making the world a better place.
In Upper School, Youth Voice designed the assembly to amplify stories of less-recognized civil rights activists. They began by presenting on Aurelia Browder and the case of Browder v. Gayle followed by seventh-grade students unveiling their math enlargement project featuring civil rights activist Claudette Colvin.
Students then broke into advisories to learn about more people who made significant contributions to the civil rights movement and society. The assembly was closed out by students from the Music elective class presenting on the history of Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday" a song written and performed as part of the campaign to have the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. become a national holiday.
The Lower School assembly had the theme “Taking a Stand" building on the words "Never, never be afraid to do what’s right." Students danced and sang along to “Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh while listening to a picture book version of “Get Up, Stand Up” by Cedella Marley. Kindergarten through third grade followed up by sharing about inspirational figures including Alma Thomas, Malala Yousafzai, Amanda Gorman, and others. At the end, fourth graders performed short excerpts from their “Dreams for the World” poems written using Dr. King’s words and performance style as inspiration, along with those of other activists.
In both assemblies, students walked away with a broader understanding of how countless people are working to make a difference every day. And, how every person has a part to play — no matter what their age or grade — in building a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect.
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.
Burke's admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.