Dear Parents,
This week our students led a powerful and passionate assembly celebrating black history. It was awe-inspiring! The student participants were empowered, proud, articulate, well informed, and passionate! Our student and "adult" audience was engaged, interested and greatly moved by the stories that were told, art that was shared and feelings that were expressed by students from kindergarten through 6th grade!
A few highlights included Miles J. and Michaela C. as MC's for the event, Colette B. as Leontyne Price singing exquisitely, and Daniel I.'s moving rendition of "Rise Up." We were also thrilled to have Orisirisi African Folklore with us for an interactive and stirring drum circle and song performance, as well as Blu Bailey, a local spoken word poet, who fired up our students with her inspirational message. Another highlight of this event was a Park Maitland Proclamation presented by Mayor Dale McDonald for the impact that our students are having on the community and beyond!
With so much tension and divide in our society, it is important that we encourage our children to seek to understand and appreciate one another, to celebrate our differences, and learn peaceful ways to solve conflict and problems. Deep appreciation goes to the teachers who contributed in some way through lessons, activities, and direct participation. A very special thank you to the following parents for their leadership, vision, and outstanding contributions:
- Meredith Cook
- Jennifer Wodi
- Ann Johnson
- Chenoa Reed
5th-grade student, Miles J., shared his personal story (below), appreciation for his friendships at Park Maitland, and the wonderful inspiration he has derived from world changers.
I continue to be inspired and encouraged by these compassionate and bright children, and I know that our future is in good hands.
Warmly,
Cindy Moon
African American Experience by Miles J.
Hi, for those of you who don’t know me, my name is Miles J. We wanted to have a program today that expresses the African American Experience. That experience can range from learning at an early age that the struggle for equality is a book the has yet to have a closing chapter, all the way to a young boy has been able to see Mount Fuji, The
Sagrada Familia and the Mona Lisa before the age of 10.
My travels have also taken me to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC where I saw the tumultuous history that America has had with African American men and boys. Here at home a short drive showed me that a former police chief who is an African American woman from Orlando is the United States Representative Val Demings could become one of the most prominent elected officials in the country.
What I have learned, this month represents a 28- or 29-days period that is a reminder to celebrate all year. We should celebrate the past because it guides our future and hopefully reminds us not to repeat mistakes of the past.
Hopefully it guides us to remember that the future is a pillar placed on the foundation of the past. If we do not complete the maintenance on that foundation, then our future buildings will most certainly fall. We as student sometimes forget that we stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us. We celebrate the present.
I have learned that we could not have saved countless lives without the contributions of men like Dr. Charles Drew with his discovery the banking of plasma and blood transfusion to Thurgood Marshall also known as Mr. Civil Rights giving me the opportunity to speak today, all the way to John Henry Thompson whose scripting language allowed visuals to
be rendered in computer software. In other words, the ability to post pictures and make memes. The last one is very important because without his coding my mom would not be share my speech with my grandparents on Facebook tonight.
Most importantly, we celebrate the future. The future is shaped by leaders. A leader can be wise mentor who was a Dean and Professor of Law at Florida A&M University College of Law and North Carolina Central University School of Law at Duke. Mr. Percy Luney gives me positive affirmations and informative political conversation to stimulate my 10 year old mind.
A leader can be a tutor who has the patience to shape the mind of a 10 year old who would rather be watching Star Wars Clone Wars. That same tutor Kenny Totten who also helped me expand my business and brand: Miles Evan TV.
A leader like Mr. Kevin Moore can also show you the how law enforcement can work with the community and mold our young men as a retired sheriff. A leader can also be a friend that can be there to take you on fun t-Rex motorcycle rides to lift your spirits. Anyal Goyal hospitalist at Health central with Orlando regional.
Lastly, a leader can also be a mentor who shows you that you can come from humble beginnings to become an engineer, a researcher, or a physician; or all three. I call the last mentor my Dad. Dr. Tirrell Johnson oncologist with UF health Cancer Center. Thank you all for supporting me as I grow into a young boy.
My parents have created a diversified community with the goal of giving me the tools to express myself, feel safe doing so, and learn at a top educational institution: Park Maitland school. I hope you are inspired to diversify your community. This is one of the truest lessons of Black History Month.
Thank you.
