Haldane Fourth-Graders Honor Rosa Parks by Enacting Her Story

The fourth graders in Mrs. Windels class at Haldane Elementary honored Black History Month in a very special way. Aside from reading about Martin Luther King, Jr. and researching other black heroes, her students paid a special tribute to Rosa Parks. The class performed a play entitled, "Rosa Parks: A Lesson In Courage" at the Butterfield Library on March 2. The four-scene play begins with Rosa taking a seat on the bus and refusing to give up her seat for a white man. The students reenact a Civil Rights meeting and a courtroom scene that really enabled them to understand the importance of Rosa's bold and courageous refusal. The play was directed by Lynn Hawley, a parent and a professor of acting at Bard College. Jean Cendali, the art teacher, helped the fourth graders design their own sets, while Meredith Nocton, the new music teacher at Haldane helped the students prepare a song for the finale about Rosa.

The opportunity to portray this important moment in 20thcentury history really made an impact for these children. In their words: "I learned that a single NO changed a lot!" - Charlotte Cleary; "Rosa Parks proved with her quiet strength that everyone should live on this world equally and peacefully" - Peter Mc Govern; "Rosa Parks made me realize that if you think something is wrong, many will stand behind you for what is right, but you have to be brave if you want people to stand behind you, like Rosa was" - Wylie Mc Donald; "Rosa Parks showed me to stand up for things that you think are unfair" - CJ Geller.

Mrs. Windels feels that "doing the play helps the students to realize the impact one person can make in this world. They came away with the play with an understanding not only of equal rights, and the injustice of segregation, but with the hope that someday they can make a difference, too.

Every seat was filled as parents and other family members attended the event last Friday. Usually you have to stand up for what you believe is important, but in this case Rosa Parks took a stand while sitting down.