East Hartford Public Schools

East Hartford Public Schools is celebrating Black History Month and welcoming this opportunity to intentionally appreciate African Americans’ contributions to the history of the US and the world. Our schools and students are working on projects and activities, as well as planning events, to celebrate African American heritage and the achievements of people of African descent.

At several of our schools, Black History Month is honored each day during morning announcements. At Synergy Alternative Program and East Hartford High School (EHHS), each morning begins with an inspirational quote from an influential Black figure. At East Hartford Middle School (EHMS), the morning announcements feature songs from Black musicians.

Inside elementary school classrooms around the school district, students are reading books by Black authors with specific focus on stories of pride, innovation, and perseverance that are embedded within the story of African American history in our country. Young learners are also using resources provided by the Office of Equity, Partnerships and Achievement to research important and influential figures throughout Black History. Students at Mayberry School will participate in a schoolwide art project centered on Black History Month themes.

At EHMS, the school equity team added additional resources to its website to spark interest and research into Black figures and Black History Month topics. Meanwhile in the school library, classes are able to visit a gallery of historic figures on display.

While walking down the World Language hallway at EHHS, you’ll pass by the Periodic Table of Black History on the wall as a reminder of the achievements and movements of Black visionaries throughout history. EHHS Student Council students also created their own display to honor Black History Month. Students submitted designs for the bulletin board in the cafeteria, then voted on their favorite and produced the display.

Throughout this month, school staff are planning several exciting events to celebrate Black history. At Sunset Ridge School, they are hosting a Family Paint Night where families will work on a painting by renowned multicultural visual artist and award-winning author/illustrator Synthia Saint James. O’Connell School students in grades 2-5 will enjoy a Black History Month assembly featuring Bright Star Theatre. Families at O'Brien Elementary School are invited to a Black History Celebration on February 16 featuring African drumming and student performances. 

At East Hartford High School and the Connecticut IB Academy, the students are doing the event planning. EHHS students are putting together an assembly focused on Black contributions to music on February 17^th. This will feature a slideshow highlighting Black music from past to present, plus several student performances of songs, poems and other talents. CIBA students are planning an assembly on February 24^th featuring student performances. CIBA students are also hosting a month-long trivia contest with a prize drawing at the end of the month.

Though we strive to recognize and celebrate different cultures throughout the year, this month is offering East Hartford students of all ages the chance to deepen their learning and appreciation of Black history.

Black History Month Around EHPS