Patchogue-Medford School District Celebrates Black History Month

Activities, Lessons, and Events Recognize Important Observance

PATCHOGUE, NEW YORK (MARCH 2024)—The Patchogue-Medford School District engaged in a wide range of Black History Month activities, lessons, and events throughout the month of February.

“From the elementary level to the middle and high school level, our students expressed an exceptional passion for learning more about Black historical figures, culture, achievements, and movements,” said Patchogue-Medford School District Superintendent Dr. Donna Jones. “Our educators generated creative and interactive lessons that involved our entire school community and truly honored the significance of Black History Month.”

At Patchogue-Medford High School, students researched notable Black figures in fields specific to their classes, including poetry, fashion design, entrepreneurship, law, and more. The physical education spin class completed a meaningful Black History Month-themed ride. Students learned about impactful Black leaders throughout the month prior to participating in their workout and collaborated on the ride’s playlist featuring Black musical artists who inspire them. Additionally, the Patchogue-Medford High School African American Caribbean Club coordinated with the library for a celebration to conclude the month, in which attendees enjoyed music, art, poetry readings, and games.

South Ocean Middle School displayed prominent Black historical figures on the televisions throughout the building and highlighted the men and women in outdoor signs and the morning announcements. Eighth graders participated in a gallery walk, presented on landmark civil rights legal decisions, and analyzed the film The Great Debaters, based on the true story of the historically Black college Wiley College’s 1935 debate team. The chorus learned about Harriet Tubman and the use of song on the Underground Railroad. Students then powerfully performed a key song of these efforts, “Wade in the Water.”

Oregon Middle School students participated in an Instagram profile project highlighting trailblazing Black American scientists and their achievements after reading the Scholastic Science World issue about these innovators. Art students worked on an array of projects, including Alma Thomas-inspired paintings, Kip Omolade-styled acrylic metallic portraits, and Kehinde Wiley-inspired heroic portraits with vibrant tessellation pattern printmaking in the background.

Saxton Middle School’s SEL and Culture Committee created a compilation of Black History Month activities, from which teachers selected the ones they wanted to share with their students throughout the month. Classes thoroughly enjoyed participating in the wide range of lessons celebrating Black culture, figures, and accomplishments.

Eagle Elementary School held a school-wide read aloud of The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson. Following the read aloud, students made quilts with prompts connected to the book that were then displayed by the school’s main entrance.

River Elementary School decorated its main lobby with the biographies of influential Black Americans and its hallways with Black History Month imagery. First graders also created a powerful tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s virtues and values that was featured in the second-floor hallway. Medford Elementary Schools highlighted a Black American each day during morning announcements, and Canaan Elementary School music classes learned about Ella Fitzgerald and sang her well-known renditions of “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” and “Take the ‘A’ Train.”

Libraries throughout the District designed Black History Month book displays and facilitated research projects using FactCite, Learn360, Discovery Education, and BrainPop. Middle school students also utilized the library’s resources and Canva to create infographics about Black entrepreneurs.

For more information about the Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.pmschools.org. Happenings in the District can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PatMedSchools/. #PatMedPride.

Eagle Elementary School students working on their Black History Month written quilts