Trinity Christian School celebrates

Black History Month

By Samantha DePriest

During the month of February, TCS celebrates diversity with a special focus on Black History. Mrs. Jones, High School principal, shared “Diversity is woven into the fabric of who we are at TCS and this month provides us an opportunity to more intentionally study Black individuals that have been foundational, innovative, and transformational throughout history. We begin this special month with G.R.A.C.E. Week which gives us an opportunity to focus on understanding how each of us is made in the image of God and how we should treat each other in light of that truth. Ultimately, it is in our differences that we are able to bring God great glory and celebrate His workmanship!”

What does G.R.A.C.E. mean?

G.R.A.C.E. is about better understanding how each of us is made in the image of God and how we should treat each other in light of that truth. While we are different in our G-ender, in our R-ace, in our A-bility/Disability, in our Culture, and in Economics.

Throughout February, TCS students learn about how these five differences unite us, not divide us. In the classroom, teachers highlight specific world changers who have accomplished historic feats, paved the way for others to do so, made impactful discoveries, transformed medical field, space exploration, computer technology, engineering, and more. Educating and empowering this next generation to appreciate diversity is essential to make the world to become a better place.

Several guest speakers were invited to speak during weekly chapels including our very own Coach Lady Grooms, Mr. Shaun Golden, Associate Pastor Christian Norman of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, and Reverend Eric Thomas.

Coach Lady Grooms speaking at HS Chapel
Image by Oscar Camejo

Coach Lady Grooms helped kick off G.R.A.C.E. week and Black History Month in high school chapel. She shared the history and importance behind the focus. She shared some of her own story with our students and encouraged our students to unite to change the world.

Mr. Shaun Golden played basketball in both high school and college and went on to coach college basketball for more than 2 decades. He shared the importance of young people being put on the path to succeed from the start. In January 2015, he launched a nonprofit “Golden Opportunity” to inspire students, teach life lessons, and help them achieve their goals. He challenged our students to get focused on their future and make a plan for their lives. “Little things make a big difference. The way you talk, the way you walk, the walk you eat, the way you sleep.”

Associate Pastor Christian Norman speaking at UE/MS Chapel

Associate Pastor Christian Norman shared with our Upper Elementary and Middle School students in chapel how one important question his Mom asked him at the age of 15 changed his life. After sharing his powerful testimony, he encouraged our students to place their trust in Christ because life is more meaningful with Jesus. We are so thankful to have guests like him speaking into our students and helping to shape their own Faith foundations. To hear Pastor Christian share in his own words and hear the question his Mom asked him, click link.

Students play Black History BINGO during lunch

Mr. Vinson, Upper Elementary and Middle School Principal, shares “During the month of February our Middle School students took a break from normal academic schedule with a special discipleship day emphasizing G.R.A.C.E. This year’s G.R.A.C.E. Day was held on February 14. Students attended special workshops, chapel lessons, and G.R.A.C.E.-focused movies in the afternoon. Our 6th graders watched “Overcomer”, our 7th graders watched “Queen of Katwe”, and our 8th graders watched “Woodlawn“. Our hope is that our students gain a deeper understanding about historical figures including Martin Luther King Jr, Michael Jordan, Sanders, Moffet, Rivers and Herschel Walker, Condoleezza Rice, Benjamin Banneker, Mathilda Taylor Beasley, Charlayne Gault, Hamilton Holmes, Harriet Tubman, Clarence Thomas, Frederick Douglass, Alonzo Herndon, Mae Jemison, and Henry Flipper. Our upper elementary students also learned about Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Louis Armstrong, Madam CJ Walker, Langston Hughes, and Mae Jemison. During lunch our students also enjoyed Black History Bingo at lunch on Fridays.”

Mrs. Randolph, Lower School Principal, shared how each grade level chose three leaders and created fun and engaging activities to teach students about the impact their lives had on history. Mrs. Jaroszewski, third grade teacher at TCS, shared “In 3rd grade, we are studying Frederick Douglas, Madam CJ Walker, and Ella Baker. We are reading a short biography of each figure in small groups and filling in interactive notebook pages. We are focusing on developing note-taking skills, highlighting and searching for text evidence when reading and answering questions, as well as writing in complete sentences.” And Mrs. Varela, first grade teacher at TCS, shared, “We covered Ruby Bridges and George Washington Carver and also created an interactive notebook pages for each.”

There is no better time than now to ask your students about all that they are learning to help reinforce at home what is being taught at school about Black History Month.