- From a Northville Public Schools press release

Students across Northville Public Schools will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, legacy of equality, unity, fairness and respect through a variety of meaningful activities planned for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Jan. 16, 2012. The district-wide theme of this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day student activities is “Walk in the Footsteps of Dr. King.”

“Everyday in our community and our schools we do our best to follow in Dr. King’s footsteps and live by the principles he taught,” said Lynne Mossoian, Director of Special Services for Northville Public Schools and chairperson of the school district’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Planning Committee. “We hope the activities our students and staff take part in on January 16th will provide an opportunity for all of us to remember Dr. King’s legacy of peace, unity and service to others.”

In classrooms across Northville’s 11 school buildings, students will reflect on Dr. King’s message of peace and equality through teacher-led activities that include book talks, selected speeches, writing reflections, art projects, skits and discussions about how Dr. King’s work changed our country. The lessons and activities are designed to align with curriculum standards at each level.

“We hope this day devoted to Dr. King will remind us all that we must work together and help one another if we ever expect to understand one another and build bridges that lead to broader ranges of diversity awareness and deeper levels of cross-cultural competencies,” said Scott Snyder, Principal of Silver Springs Elementary School, where activites have been planned by grade level to help students learn about Dr. King and his legacy.

In addition to classroom lessons, several buildings have school-wide activities planned for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. At Amerman Elementary School, students will be asked to apply what they have learned about Dr. King’s principles to complete the statement, “I have a dream…” and stories, poems and drawings created by students will be shared through the school’s video morning announcements. Thornton Creek Elementary School students will trace and cut out their footprints and include a story, poem or drawing that reflects their understanding of Dr. King’s life and legacy. The footprints will then be displayed throughout the school building. Hillside Middle school sixth grade students will write essays based on the theme “Walk in the Footsteps of Dr. King” that will be displayed and recognized school-wide. Students at the district’s special education center program at Cooke School will attend a school-wide assembly where they will view a video about Dr. King’s life and have an opportunity to share their
original artwork and writings about Dr. King.

“There is great value in ensuring that our young people understand the impact of Dr. King’s messages of peace, unity and equality not only on our society, but around the world,” said Rob Watson, Principal of Northville High School, where all of the school’s social studies classes will take time on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to examine Dr. King’s place in history through short readings, a review of his important speeches, and classroom discussions.

“The meaningful ways in which students, teachers and staff are giving thought to the principles taught by Dr. King are important,” said Northville Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher. “It is our hope that these experiences on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will serve as a reminder to all of us that the journey toward greater understanding and respect for one another is both worthwhile and ongoing.”