Family News

January 20th, 2025

Martin Luther King Day

On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law, designating the third Monday in January a federal holiday in observance of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The legislation to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first introduced just four days after his assassination on April 4, 1968. Still, it would take 15 years of persistence by civil rights activists for the holiday to be approved by the federal government and an additional 17 years for it to be recognized in all 50 states. Today, it is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities.

King Day rituals began in Atlanta, with commemorative services held on January 15 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, which both Coretta Scott King and Ralph Abernathy attended. These events served as a template for federal holiday ceremonies. The day began with Martin Luther King III placing a wreath at his father’s grave, followed by notable speakers. The congregation sang “We Shall Overcome,” people drove cars with headlights on, and a Black state senator introduced a King holiday bill for Georgia. Many of these activities became rituals on subsequent commemorations in Atlanta.

Despite the national fervor inspired by King's death, the bill to create a holiday in his honor languished for years with limited congressional support. However, Democratic Michigan Congressman John Conyers, who first proposed the bill on April 8, 1968 after receiving approval from Coretta Scott King, was not deterred. He continued to reintroduce the legislation every year with the support of the Congressional Black Caucus, which Conyers found helpful.

In 1979, on the 50th anniversary of King’s birth, the bill finally came to a vote in the House. However, even with a petition of 300,000 signatures in support, the backing of President Jimmy Carter, and testimonials from Mrs. King, the bill still was rejected by five votes in the House. Republican Missouri Congressman Gene Taylor led the opposition, which cited the costs of an additional federal holiday, and traditions that exclude private citizens from receiving recognition with public holidays named in their honor.

Even though it failed to pass in the House, public support for the bill continued to grow, in no small part due to musician Stevie Wonder. The Motown singer and songwriter’s 1980 album “Hotter Than July” featured the song “Happy Birthday,” which served as an ode to King's vision and a rallying cry for recognition of his achievements with a national holiday.

Wonder continued to spread his message with regular appearances alongside Coretta Scott King at rallies. He also capped a four-month tour with a benefit concert on the National Mall, where King delivered his famous “I have a Dream” speech 18 years earlier.

When the bill again made it to the house floor in 1983, fifteen years after King’s murder, support was overwhelming. Working together, Coretta Scott King, the Congressional Black Caucus, and Stevie Wonder amassed a six million signature petition in favor of the holiday. The bill easily passed in the House with a vote of 338 to 90. However, when the bill moved onto the Senate, Republican North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms attempted to dismiss the legislation by submitting documents alleging that the civil rights leader harbored ties to the communist party. Outraged by the personal attack on King's character, Democratic New York Congressman Daniel Patrick Moynihan threw the more than 300-page binder to the ground and stomped on what he described as a "packet of filth." After two days of debate, the bill passed in the Senate and President Ronald Reagan reluctantly agreed to sign it into law.

In 1984, Congress established the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission to coordinate the inaugural observance of King Day and plan its celebrations. Coretta Scott King, who originally proposed its creation, served as chair of the commission, which included members of Congress, presidential appointees, and prominent leaders from the business, labor, religious, civil rights, and entertainment sectors. The commission was charged with creating new traditions for the holiday. Mrs. King was among numerous holiday activists who aimed to center the observance on Dr. King's philosophy of nonviolence, while President Ronald Reagan’s appointees sought to emphasize themes such as respect for the Constitution, Christianity, and individual rights. Over time, the commission's influence waned as Reagan appointed Black conservatives to counter Black liberals within the organization. Coretta Scott King withdrew from public life. The commission ultimately disbanded in 1996 after King’s second son, Dexter, monetized his father’s intellectual property and attacked the commission for using his father’s words, image, and likeness.

Despite the holiday’s federal recognition, statewide observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is far from uniform. Some states include additional holidays, which are celebrated concurrently with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Arizona and New Hampshire, for example, celebrate “Civil Rights Day” and Wyoming celebrates “Wyoming Equality Day.” Other states, like Alabama and Mississippi, have combined the King holiday with “Robert E. Lee Day” to honor the birthday of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who was born on January 19. However, Martin Luther King Day has been recognized in all 50 states since early 2000.

On August 23, 1994, the King Holiday and Service Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Inspired by King’s life of service, Congressman John Lewis and former Senator Harris Wofford proposed the legislation to encourage Americans to find common causes and methods of improving their communities. In honor of Congressman Lewis’ initiative to make the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday “a day on, not a day off,” the National Museum of African American History and Culture has organized donation drives and partnered with supporters to provide music, film screenings, and interactive activities to the public.

Watch this link https://youtu.be/oM9Wqik71AU

What Makes Westminster Special

Westminster Community Charter School is fortunate to have a fully staffed Kaledia Clinic. Our primary care services are comprehensive, including health assessments, diagnosis and treatment of minor, acute, and chronic medical conditions, and nutritional counseling. Our mental health services are equally comprehensive, including assessments, crisis intervention, counseling, and referrals as needed. Services are provided by a multidisciplinary team that includes nurse practitioners, medical assistants, social workers, dietitians, psychologists, education counselors, and physicians. Students can get their yearly physicals, immunizations, and prescription refills.

The clinic is a resource and part of our school community. It is available to all of our students and provides on-site access to students whose parents complete the enrollment packet. The clinic is open during the academic day when school is in session.

Applications for the 2025-2026 School Year are open

Please share the link with anyone looking for an excellent school for their students next year. Westminster is doing great in our Academics. When compared to the K-8 Buffalo Schools, Westminster scored 1st in Science, 2nd in ELA, and 3rd in Math. We also did better than many other Charter Schools, such as CSAT, Elmwood Village Hertel, Buffalo United, Reach Academy, Charter School of Inquiry, and King Center, to name a few. The application link is below. If you have a rising Kindergartener please apply for them to secure their spot. If your child is currently enrolled you do no need to complete an application.

For every family you recommend who applies for next year you will be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card.

https://forms.gle/sYyTWP8FzSbLJYESA

Parent Advisory Council News

PAC Meeting rescheduled to Thursday, January 23rd, from 5:30–6:30 PM. Your input

and feedback are always welcome.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83767790799?pwd=HubNaVpejiBJU9EcAbiGzjQPtcO3zn.1
Meeting ID: 837 6779 0799
Passcode: 828121

Some Items on the Agenda:

Can/Bottle Drive (Proposed dates: January 6th–January 20th)

• Volunteers are needed to help collect and drop off donations.

School Dance (MAY– Grades 6–8)

• We are forming a planning committee.

• Chaperones will be needed on the night of the event.

• Proposal: Valentine’s Dance/ Flower Fundraiser.

Uniform Exchange (Ongoing)

• We are collecting gently used uniforms, including shirts, sweatshirts, and pants.

• Donations can be dropped off at the main office.

• Larger sizes are especially needed.

If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me,

Candice McFoy, at 716-846-9901 (text/call) or cmcfoy0609@gmail.com.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Westminster Community Charter

School. Wishing you a season filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished moments with your

loved ones.

Sincerely,

Candice McFoy

President, Parent Advisory Committee

Westminster Community Charter School

Key Strategies to Increase Student Attendance

Establish routines: Set consistent bedtimes, wake-up times, and morning schedules to ensure your child is well-rested and prepared for school.
Plan ahead: Pack backpacks, choose clothes, and prepare breakfast the night before to avoid morning rush.
Communicate with the school: Stay informed about school policies, attend parent-teacher conferences, and promptly contact the school if there are any attendance issues.
Address concerns: Talk to your child about any anxieties or challenges they might be facing at school that could affect their attendance.
Make school appealing: Discuss positive aspects of school with your child, highlight interesting activities, and encourage involvement in extracurriculars.
Monitor attendance: Regularly check your child's attendance record and discuss any absences with them.
Reinforce positive behavior: Acknowledge and praise your child's good attendance, and consider setting up small rewards for consistent school presence.
Limit unnecessary absences: Avoid taking your child out of school for minor reasons, like doctor appointments that can be scheduled after school hours.
Set expectations: Clearly communicate the importance of regular attendance and discuss consequences for excessive absences.