The Farmington I.D.E.A.

This space offers resources, ideas, and places for your contributions.

January is Braille Literacy Month, in honor of the birthday of Louis Braille, who was born on January 4th, 1809. We now celebrate National World Braille Day on January 4th in honor of his legacy. Although we live in a world of technology, Braille is still necessary and very important for those who are blind or visually impaired.

President Richard Nixon proclaimed January 1970 as the first National Blood Donor Month on December 31, 1969, as requested by Senate Joint Resolution 154, to pay tribute to voluntary blood donors and encourage new donors to join.

January is National Poverty in America Awareness Month. This observance aims to recognize the severe conditions of poverty that many individuals experience in the U.S. There are thousands of people who are deprived of at least three meals a day, quality education, and even clean and healthy drinking water. This month focuses on systemic efforts to eradicate poverty and create systems that support those in need.

At the Farmington Community Library, the Children’s Services Department provides resources for children at birth through fifth grade and their families, from selecting books, movies, and more to offering amazing events like storytime and hands-on STEM and art programs.

Hi, I am Maria Showich-Gallup, aka Miss Maria to most who know me from the Library. I have been the Head of Children’s Services at the Farmington location for 22 years. I’m also the Interim Branch Head. My favorite thing to do is preschool story time. My next favorite thing is finding the right book for students. Reading brings you to new places and adventures.

I’m Miss Kristel (Sexton) and I’ve been the Head of Children’s Services at the Farmington Hills location for three years. I like doing story time for toddlers and supporting parents as their children go through different stages in life. We both love working out in the community (have you seen us in the parades with the Book Bike?!) and building partnerships, like the fabulous one we have with Farmington Public Schools (FPS).

For the third year in a row, FCL and FPS are partnering on a day-long series of events celebrating Rev. Dr. King, Jr. on Monday, January 16, 2023. The day will feature a Legacy March, panel discussion from the Farmington IDEA students, FPS student dancers, and, for the first time, Student Community

Challenge Showcase Award Ceremony as our finale event.

Envision a future Farmington/Farmington Hills that reflect the theme of bravery, togetherness, or justice. Design your future community in a poster, 3D model/diorama, poem, painting, or sculpture. This is your chance to be heard and win a prize! Check out the rest of the MLK Day activities at FCL here: https://www.farmlib.org/mlk/

The Live Performance of Dr. King: the Movement of Freedom by historical storyteller Anthony Lucas at 2 pm is not to be missed!

Prelude to MLK Day:

The History and Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen

Sunday, January 15, 2:00 p.m.

FCL Farmington Hills: Auditorium

Join us for a special pre-MLK Day event celebrating the Tuskegee Airmen!

The Tuskegee Airmen were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America’s first black military airmen. They came from every section of the country including New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit. Each one possessed a strong personal desire to serve the United States of America at the best of his ability.

These airmen fought two wars – one against a military force overseas and the other against racism at home and abroad. Retired Lt. Col. Lawrence Millben, member of the Detroit Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, and others will discuss the history of the Airmen and his own experience as the first African American B.O. Davis Graduate and first African American Base Commander of the former Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

This program will be presented in a hybrid format: Zoom and in-person. Registration is required to receive the virtual meeting link.

Join us for a full day of celebrating the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. All of the day’s event will take place in person at Farmington Community Library’s Farmington Hills location (32737 W 12 Mile Rd.). In partnership with Farmington Public Schools and the Farmington Friends of the Library.

10:00 a.m. | Sign-Making

Planning to join us for the Legacy March? Come early and make a sign for the march with us. Posters, sign handles, and markers will be provided. Find us on the main floor, near the entrance.

11:00 a.m. | Legacy March

A tradition dating back over 20 years, the Dr. King Legacy March is a favorite activity of families in the community. With our signs and posters, we will walk down the sidewalk along 12 Mile Rd. Please wear appropriate clothing for cold temperatures and icy sidewalks. In partnership with the Multicultural/Multiracial Council of Farmington/Farmington Hills.

12:00 p.m. | Farmington IDEA Panel Discussion

Listen to an enlightening conversation around race and racism with local students. Farmington IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Acceptance), student clubs offered throughout Farmington and Farmington Hills schools, will be our panelists for the discussion. Moderated by Greg Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, this panel will center youth voices on the legacy of Dr. King and what they want their future to reflect. This discussion will also be livestreamed on the Library’s YouTube Channel.

2:00 p.m. | Dr. King: the Movement of Freedom

Join us for an interactive presentation about the legacy of Rev. Dr. King. Anthony Lucas, Detroit Association of Black Storytellers member, will share facts about Dr. King and his ministry, speeches, and the importance of marching. Ernestine Worford, a vocalist often heard performing at The Henry Ford, will join Mr. Lucas for an unforgettable live performance.

3:30 p.m. | FPS Dance Company Presents MLK Day

FCL proudly presents the students of the Farmington Public School’s Dance Company, led by Toi Banks. High schoolers from North Farmington and Farmington High School will capture the spirit of the day with a contemporary performance that you won’t want to miss.

6:30 p.m. | Student Community Challenge Showcase

View the artwork students entered in our inaugural MLK Day Student Community Challenge. Students will be available to answer questions about their work. The winners will be announced and awarded prizes at 7:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served. In partnership with Community Equity Organization.

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Who was Dr. King?

"Martin Luther King, Jr. was a social activist and Baptist minister who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. King sought equality and human rights for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged and all victims of injustice through peaceful protest. He was the driving force behind watershed events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington, which helped bring about such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and is remembered each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S. federal holiday since 1986."

"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born January 15, 1929, became the most well known leader of the modern civil rights movement. But the truth of King’s legacy is often whitewashed and sanitized. On his birthday, MLK Day and year round, use these resources to provide students with a more complete, radical context of King's fight for justice—and discuss how his work still creates ripples today." Learning For Justice, January 2020

Honoring the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dear Social Studies Teachers and Leaders, How perfect that we celebrate the life of MLK at the start of the new year -- it offers the opportunity to make resolutions about the steps we each can take to foster a more just world. (www.learningforjustice.org )

The 4C's

"In a few short days we’ll honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 's work and memory by observing a holiday; in a few short weeks, we’ll begin a month-long celebration of Black History and the incredible men and women that have impacted our nation and continue to do so. I’m writing to urge you to leave the eggs at home.

You know the ones: one white egg to represent white America, and a brown egg to represent MLK/Black America/non-white America. Students make predictions, you crack the eggs, and a few minutes later racism is eradicated in a generation because they see that yes, on the inside, they’re both the same.

The thing is… while this may provide an opportunity to tie-up a lesson on racial equity with a nice neat bow in under twenty minutes, provide a great “Aha!” moment for students – it’s helping to perpetuate the status quo: whiteness as the default, and blackness as “the same on the inside despite the outside.” (www.sarahplumitallo.com)

• A Harris poll from early 1968 found that 75% of Americans disapproved of Dr. King. Why is he so widely celebrated now?

• How might a country repair hundreds of years of residual harm that has been done to targeted groups of people?

• Why is it important to learn about the cultural traditions and rituals of people outside of ourselves?

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS

The West Michigan Holocaust Partners have come together to sponsor the Henry Pestka Art & Poetry Contest for 6th through 12th grade students.

The 2022-2023 theme is “Never Forget”. The top ten finalists in each grade will have their work displayed in a collection and be invited to attend and be recognized at our culminating event in April 2023, both in a space generously provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

The top three Finalists in each grade will further qualify for a cash prize (1st Place $150, 2nd Place $100, 3rd Place $50) generously provided by The Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids, Henry Pestka Holocaust Memorial Endowment Fund. We would like to enthusiastically invite your students to participate in the Contest using the link below:

https://form.jotform.com/222766235080151

MLK Day 2023

Honoring the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dear Social Studies Teachers and Leaders, How perfect that we celebrate the life of MLK at the start of the new year -- it offers the opportunity to make resolutions about the steps we each can take to foster a more just world. (launchsmore.com)

Children of Trauma and Resilience (3 Day Event)

Structured Sensory II (3 Day Event)

Peer to Peer Program Roundtables: A Cultural Shift that Benefits All Students!

SDI: Comprehensive Conventional Literacy for Students with Significant Disabilities (6 Day Event)

Smells Like Teen Spirit: What's New in Young Adult Texts?

SIOP Virtual & Blended Workshop Series (5 Trainings)

For more information, please contact Gregory Smith, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

for Farmington Public Schools at gregory.smith@fpsk12.net

Farmington Public Schools shall not discriminate against any person based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, height, weight, or marital status in any of its programs, services, activities or employment. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 32500 Shiawassee, Farmington, MI 48336.