Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Black History Month topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Toledo board spotlights Black History Month and honors retirees and student programs
Summary
Board members highlighted Black History Month observances, a Rosa Parks Elementary 'Rosa Day' video and student activities, and presented certificates to district retirees with a combined 207 years, 6 months of service.
The Toledo Public Schools Board of Education opened its meeting with recognitions tied to Black History Month and student-led programming.
Patty Gazer introduced the district's Black History Month recognition, describing it as "an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in The United States history." She announced a video from Rosa Parks Elementary that showcased the school's birthday observance for its namesake.
Students and staff described "Rosa Day" traditions that include building edible buses, a podcast and a living-history reading in which a community volunteer portrayed Rosa Parks. Student speakers said the activities aim to teach the school community about Parks' tenacity and the civil-rights movement. "We have Edible Buses, Rosa Parks Shuffle. We are leading a podcast," a student said while describing the school's traditions.
The board also presented certificates to retirees and read service lengths for each honoree, totaling 207 years and 6 months of service to the district. Named retirees included Bert Barnett Jr., Angela Cassidy, Karen Cohen, Evangelina Donauer, Janelle Farringer, Gladwin Richardson and Christina Schwarzkopf.
Board members praised volunteers such as Warren and Yolanda Woodbury and highlighted student-led initiatives, including a sensory room at a high school and student-run mental-health presentations that the board said were both powerful and instructive.
