The Poudre School District R-1 Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution in support of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 14, following remarks from a student who urged the district to expand how it teaches civil-rights history.

Juliette Atim, a senior at Rocky Mountain High School and the school’s first Black student-body president, told the board that learning about Dr. King “felt like one time a year where my identity and my history were acknowledged,” and that the curriculum often stopped at the “I Have a Dream” speech. “This year's theme is justice everywhere mission possible,” Atim said. “We must challenge ourselves to reflect these values in how we educate, not just 1 day during the year, but every day to help create a community as beautiful as Dr. King imagines.”

Delia Mahaney, the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator, introduced Atim and said the Jan. 20 commemoration would include student-designed mural activities and other community events. Superintendent Brian Kingsley and board members praised Atim for her remarks: Director Kevin Havela said he “got chills” listening to her and called for integrating justice into classroom choices every day.

Motion and vote: The board voted by roll call to approve the resolution; the recorded vote was seven ayes (Jim Brokish, Kristen Draper, Connor Duffy, Kevin Havela, Carolyn Reed, Scott Schoenbauer and Jessica Zamora).

Atim asked the board to commit to a curriculum that is “diverse, inclusive, and representative of all the voices that have shaped our history,” and to ensure those voices are taught year round so students of color do not feel “invisible, alone, or ashamed of their identity.” Board members said they will continue conversations about curriculum choices at upcoming meetings and noted follow-up presentations on dyslexia and other instructional topics scheduled in the coming weeks.