February 7, 2012

Peel board spotlights achievements of black Canadians during Black History Month

The Peel District School Board’s Spotlight on Black Heritage events, on Feb. 15 and 16, will showcase influential black Canadians such as Portia White, Lincoln M. Alexander and many others. Close to 500 students and teachers from across Peel will gather at the HJA Brown Education Centre to hear a keynote presentation and participate in hands-on, interactive workshops facilitated by Anthony Sherwood Productions, Down to Earth and Nia Centre for the Arts.

"As Canadians, we’re grateful for the contributions from various cultures who have played significant roles in our country’s great history,” says Tony Pontes, director of education. “Our schools will take part in numerous activities throughout the month to help celebrate the achievements and contributions of black Canadians.”

This year’s event will feature a keynote presentation from award-winning journalist and filmmaker, Anthony Sherwood, on the experiences of African-Canadians, their journeys  and contributions to Canada. Students will also participate in interactive workshops to learn about Canadian heroes through a variety of mediums including music, arts, literacy and spoken word. Students in grades 7 to 12 will attend the event on Feb. 15 and students in grades 2 to 6 will attend the event on Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Many Peel board schools will host Black History Month celebrations in February. Staff and students at Red Willow Public School in Brampton will participate in daily announcements, presentations, Spirit Day, movie review of “My friend Martin” – feature movie about Martin Luther King and a Black History Month quilt story and activity.

Mayfield Secondary School in Caledon worked collaboratively with staff and students to identify ways the school community will acknowledge Black History Month. They will have a month-long trivia on black history and host an assembly which includes African dancing, drumming, spoken word and skits. Books by black authors will also be on display to create a greater understanding of the heritage.

Students at Meadowvale Village Public School in Mississauga will participate in a school-wide assembly, morning announcements and in-class lessons and activities about Black History Month. Posters of black heroes will also be displayed around the school.

The HJA Brown Education Centre is located at 5650 Hurontario St. in Mississauga. Red Willow Public School is located at 80 Red Willow Road Brampton . Mayfield Secondary School is located at 5000 Mayfield Road in Caledon. Meadowvale Village Public School is located at 890 Old  Derry Road West in Mississauga.

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Media contact:                 

Anthony Sherwood, Anthony Sherwood Productions, 905-782-7058, a.sherwood@bell.net

Loretta Penny, Down to Earth, 1-800-266-7902, loretta@downtoearth.to  

Letecia Rose, Nia Centre for the Arts, 416-535-2727, lrose@niacentre.org

Julie Ballance, Principal, Red Willow Public School, 905-794-4728

Gail Shotlander , Vice-Principal, Mayfield Secondary School, 905-846-6060

Jane Marshall, Principal, Meadowvale Village Public School, 905-564-5735

Reference:   

Danielle Norris, Communications Project Co-ordinator, 905-890-1010, ext. 2239, danielle.norris@peelsb.com      

 Note to media:  

Many Peel schools have Black History Month events scheduled throughout February. For a full list of additional school events, please contact Danielle Norris.