FDR’s Black History Month Celebration is set for February 25th! Ms. Simone one of FDR’s most dedicated teachers has setup an event for all of our Cougar family, to learn about and celebrate, Black history and culture. The New Dealer was lucky to get some details about the event from Ms. Simone.

How did you get involved organizing FDR’s Black History Month celebration?
Four years ago, a former student/alum from FDR Mario Johnson (class of 2010) contacted me about doing an event. He is the founder of “More Music, Less Violence” and spends a lot of time with today’s youth promoting this message. (See link:https://www.moremusiclessviolence.org/) We decided to encompass this message with our first annual Black History Month celebration. This was four years ago. It was a truly special event. We had a lot of alum return, and it happened to be students from my first cohort/graduating class. I was so young at the time even though they were my students, they taught me how to be a teacher. We grew together. Mario’s class will always hold a special place in my heart. (May have technically been my second cohort, but who’s counting?) We have remained in contact over the years, and Mario actually organized a ten-year reunion a few summers back. I was unable to go, but a bunch of us then reconnected after the tragic passing of Kevin Desir Valentin, who was also from his graduating class. Kevin was a truly special character; hilarious, charismatic, and intelligent. He had this phase, “Don’t let the day make you, you make the day” and I still remind myself that sometimes. I know this story is not really about him, but I feel as though I can’t leave him out. He contributed to the soul of the class of 2010.

Why are celebrations like this important for our FDR community?
Our country is based on the history of many different populations of people; our SCHOOL is comprised of many different populations of people—I think it is imperative that we honor that, for Black History Month, as well as any other cultural celebration.

Can you tell us a little about the format, and what students should expect on February 25th?
Mario Johnson aka DJ Hollyw8d will be DJing and emceeing the event. He is hoping to bring a performer along with him! The dance team and cheer team will also be performing and a student or two will be sharing poems. We are inviting other to participate as well—maybe you can! (I mean the reader, by this) Oh! And there should be food organizer by our wonderful parent coordinator, Miss Gennifer.

Any special message for our Cougar Family about why they should attend?
Community is everything. If we are not here for each other, who will be? And, it’s free! : )

I special thanks to Ms. Simone for setting up such an important and amazing event for the FDR family. See you on the 25th!