Jan. 20, 2009, was a historic day with the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the first black president and the 44
th president to take the oath of office. Schools around the district commemorated the event in unique ways and incorporated the election process and inauguration of Barack Obama into classroom learning. Some schools also held their Martin Luther King Jr. assemblies in conjunction with the inauguration.
Around the district
Wainwright Elementary School
The kindergarteners and first graders at Wainwright Elementary School watched the swearing in of President Barack Obama in amazement—their eyes fixed on the television set as the new president addressed the country.
Following the inauguration, the children acted as reporters, creating questions for the president. Some asked what orders the president would give to our Army, while others asked what time the president has to go to work. The class plans to chose four or five of the most compelling questions and send them in a letter to President Obama.
Sheridan Elementary School
Two “reporters” were in Washington, D.C., ready to give live inaugural updates directly to Sheridan Principal Kelly Evans during the school’s assembly to watch the swearing in of Barack Obama as the country’s 44
th president. Evans’ daughter, Kymberly Evanson and her husband Aaron Evanson, however, could not communicate via cell phone from the nation’s Capitol as they had hoped to do. The couple did e-mail photos from Washington, D.C., to Sheridan which Evans projected for all his students and staff members to see.
Immediately following President Obama’s inaugural speech, Sheridan held its Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) assembly. Evans said, “If everyone chose to practice the FISH philosophy (make their day, be there, play, choose your attitude) we wouldn’t have the problems we face today. It’s so important for each person to realize how important everyone in the world really is. Martin Luther King Jr. knew this. So, it is fitting to hold our MLK assembly on inauguration day.”
As part of the MLK celebration, students presented the dialogue, “I am Somebody,” which teacher Howard Guy tailored to reflect the international theme at Sheridan.
Mason Middle School
At Mason Middle School,
Kathy Calvary's social studies classes celebrated the inauguration of President Barack Obama and the completion of their classroom-based assessment projects in civics. Calvary's students have been studying the constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration since before winter break. Their assignment was to choose a democratic topic; decide their position for or against the topic; research their topics; and write about their views. The Mason students
will share their views on the constitutional issues facing our new president and will then reflect on how presidential change will impact their topics of concern.
Bryant Montessori School
Rosalind Bell, a writer, actress and spoken word artist in Tacoma, wrote and directed Bryant Montessori School’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Jan. 20. Bryant middle schoolers worked with Bell to create a series of vignettes and speeches to reenact a timeline of civil rights, beginning with the Brown v. School Board Supreme Court decision which outlawed desegregation and ending with Barack Obama's inauguration.
Excerpts of speeches from King and Obama were infused into the performance, and parts of the actual inauguration were shown. Songs were interspersed throughout the performance, including “Give Peace a Chance” by the middle school students and “Blowing in the Wind,” sung by Kristi and Steve Nebel, Bryant neighbors and friends of Bell.