This February, Minnetonka Schools joins organizations across the country in celebrating Black History Month. Throughout the District, students will have the opportunity to learn about Black leaders and deepen their understanding of the central role Black leaders have played in U.S. history, as well as their influence on the past, present and future.

Unique activities have been planned in each school, from guest speakers and morning show features highlighting Black leaders to advisory time discussions. Read on for details about how our schools will celebrate.

At Excelsior Elementary, guest speakers will present virtually to students. "All of our speakers are local and have been coming to Excelsior for the past few years during Black History Month," shared Laura Nelson, an Excelsior Elementary teacher who worked closely with several Excelsior parents to help organize the month's learning activities. Speakers include:

• Nothando Zulu, master storyteller and president and director of Black Storytellers Alliance, who will share stories from her childhood
• Lehman Riley, children's book author
• Mark Braun, local Paralympian and the first athlete to compete in wheelchair track and field through the Minnesota State High School League
• King-DioRR Willsun, current MME eighth grader and Navigator alum, who will speak to Excelsior Navigator students. Willsun hopes to start a philanthropic organization working with different charities to help promote entrepreneurship and technological literacy for both kids and adults.

Clear Springs Elementary, Deephaven Elementary, Scenic Heights Elementary and Minnewasha Elementary students will also have the opportunity to hear from Zulu, Riley and Braun virtually.

At Minnewashta, fourth graders will continue a tradition that started last year by participating in a grade-wide Influential Black Leaders project. As part of the project, students will create videos about Black leaders, which will then be shared in Minnewashta's K-5 classrooms at the end of the month.

At Deephaven, students will also hear a virtual presentation from Emmy award-winning actor and vocalist T. Mychael Rambo. "This year, our theme is about voices, and we will be celebrating individuals whose voices made a difference, as well as honoring each others' voices," said Anelise Peterson, a Deephaven Elementary teacher who helped to organize Black History Month learning opportunities.

At Groveland Elementary, fourth and fifth graders will hear from Minnetonka Schools staff members Marvin York and Chris Cohen and from MHS alum Rashad Cohen, who will lead students in discussions about respect and the significance of Black History Month.

Classes across MMW will highlight the importance of Black leaders' contributions within various subject areas, from African American poets in sixth grade language arts to the contributions of African American scientists in science classes. The school's Women of Color student group will also share about African American culture, music and literature through morning announcements and school posters.

"Our goal with this work is to authentically integrate African American cultural and historical contributions in our daily coursework and honor and bring to the foreground the significance of these contributions," said MMW Principal Freya Schirmacher. "We want all of our students to see themselves represented in what they are learning in the classroom and in the MMW community at large."

Similarly, MME students will watch and discuss short documentaries each week. "We hope students will gain a deeper appreciation for the influences and accomplishments of historic Black figures and be inspired to be a positive leader and advocate," shared MME Principal Pete Dymit.

At Minnetonka High School, a variety of announcements, videos and activities will showcase the contributions and accomplishments of not only historical figures, but of current African American leaders inside and outside of the community. Student leaders from a variety of student groups are working alongside MHS leadership and the District's videographer to create a series of videos that will run on the MHS Morning Show each week, highlighting Black history.

MHS Principal Erickson said, "We continue to not only celebrate Black leaders but to make sure there is an intentional effort to honor and acknowledge their contributions and impact in an authentic way as a part of our curriculum."

Several of the District's schools will also include stories of Black leaders in their morning announcements and daily classroom greeting times throughout the month of February.