This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
About My Students
"Mr. Jones High", JaMauri [who is a Senior], and "Mr. Cub Academy" Kenneth [who is a Freshmen], are excellent spokesmen to represent Jones High School movement to pay homage to our history. Founded in 1895 JHS is determined to maintain its integrity, intellect and inspiration towards excellence.
JaMauri, our "Mr. Jones High", wanted to create a tradition of change and establishment of purpose towards the future of our minority males. After discussions over the appreciation of the notion of "1895" and what it means today. It was determined that there was a need to reflect, reclaim and restore the traditions our JHS history, and assist our young men in walking in the vocation in which they are called. Reflecting on the history of Jones High School, our historical black high school, we have to understand the history our our nation to appreciate the halls in which we tread today.
"Stony the road we trod, bitter the chast'ning rod," it was time to march on. Reclaiming that in which seemed lost, the two young men joined forces, to be the voice of our JHS, the one who will lead and the other to carry out the mission, till victory is won. With efforts to Restore the goal is to organize a book study that would speak to the lives 40 likeminded young men, on Living, Leading and Succeeding.
"Know from whence you came. If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go." ~ James Baldwin
The book study works greatly in increasing literacy knowledge in areas of comprehension, vocabulary and inference, as the young men explore forty first-person narratives from Black leaders, community organizers, entrepreneurs, religious figures, philanthropists and educators. As the young men gather to discuss, reflect through philosophical questioning and challenge/affirm beliefs they will have the social emotional experience of living vicariously through the contributing authors as they share their personal essays from various backgrounds and show how their lives were impacted by their experiences. Such real life stories will assist our young men in creating connections and bridges with their past to create pathways to their future.
In Their Own Words
We would like to see improvement in how black men are perceived in our community, homes and schools. We would like to know that We played a role in making a difference in the history of Jones High School to pay tribute to the history that was laid before us as we move into the next chapter of our lives. We'd like to give back to the community that in which we have taken ~ pride, respect and a commitment to education. ~ JaMauri
...and be the change we want the world to see and change ~ Kenneth
Muhammad Ali stated, "The service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth."
It is our desire to create this book study that will carry on as tradition for JHS. It is our plan to find likeminded individuals and meet twice month to discuss and reflect on our readings. We would also like to do a presentation for our community and create a open discussion and dialog of how this book has impacted our life and our goal to share this with others. We will be the Change!
I have heard our teacher say "Change the Community, Change our School." I understood that to mean that to for Jones we had to bring back the historical foundation that kept this school for over 100 years. With rising problems concerning the plight of black young men, we wish only to create a mindset and change for other minority young men to respect, and want to take part by following the example laid before them. We want to be that change the community can be proud of and create JHS history!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Dariso and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.