Dover St. School participant in MPS inauguration activities

Source: MPS Press Release

Schools plan inauguration activities Tuesday

Events range from assemblies to inaugural balls

Schools across the MPS district are planning activities to coincide with the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, January 20. Schools had been active in mock presidential election activities in the fall, and many classrooms were eager to follow the process through to the inaugural. Last week, the Milwaukee Board of School Directors passed a resolution encouraging schools to integrate inaugural activities into their curriculum, and designating Inauguration Day as a system-wide day of observance for January 20, 2009 and all future school calendars.

At Dover Street School, 619 East Dover Street, students and their families are working on an All-School Homework Project about inauguration traditions, an element of Dover’s First Amendment curriculum. They will sign guest books in their classrooms before they watch the inauguration, and send the guest books to the White House.

Staff and students of Northwest Secondary School, 5496 North 72nd Street, will gather in an all-school assembly to watch the inauguration. Students will receive a commemorative bookmark highlighting milestones in the life of President-Elect Barack Obama. In addition, National Honor Society students will present an award for outstanding service in honor of the President-Elect’s call to community service.

Keefe Avenue School, 1618 West Keefe Avenue, has an Inauguration Ball scheduled for January 20 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the school. Principal Erica Hendricks’ request that students dress appropriately in suits and dresses became known in the community last week. Now, three local formal wear stores have stepped up with donations of tuxedos and gowns. The stores are Tuxedo Alley, GiGi’s Bridal and Beratti Bridal.

Twenty Grantosa Drive students have been invited to a luncheon at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday where they will watch the inauguration live. The luncheon is at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center at 3020 W. Vliet Street. The event is sponsored by 100 Black Men and the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce.

Oliver Wendell Holmes students will watch the Oath of Office on television. They will host a parade outside the school at 1:00 p.m., weather permitting. Holmes School is located at 2463 North Buffum Street.

Elm Creative Arts School, 900 West Walnut, will have Red, White and Blue Spirit Day on Tuesday. Students have been asked to wear patriotic clothing.

At Milwaukee School of Languages, 8400 West Burleigh, students and staff will wear “Inaugural ribbons” and will open the day with special announcements. One of MSL’s teachers is attending the ceremony in Washington, D.C. Community High School, 1017 North 12th Street, also has a teacher attending the inauguration. Educators have promised to document their experiences to share with students.

Other activities will likely be scheduled by the morning of January 20. Please contact MPS Communications Director Roseann St. Aubin, (414) 475-8237 for further details and assistance.

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