School News

Facing Mountains

Andrew Campion, Director of Marketing and Communications
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a long-honored tradition at Fayerweather, and while we could not all gather together in the same way, our students and staff still gathered virtually to celebrate Dr. King in a very special way.
We opened with a song called Dear Dr. King by Alastair Moock. Alastair is a former FSS staff member and Grammy nominated musician. His 2020 children’s music album, “Be a Pain,” was nominated for a Grammy, however after realizing the list of nominees were all white and predominantly male, Alastair turned down the nomination. Last week, Alastair took some time to speak with The Unit about his music and issues around equity in the music industry. This led the Unit to starting their Family Music Project to help promote BIPOC artists with family music. 
 
Head of School, Kim, took to the stage and asked, “if Dr. King were here today, what might he think, feel, or say to us now?” Kim spoke of Dr. King’s “Keep Moving from This Mountain” address at Spelman College in 1960. In the speech, King identifies four symbolic mountains (materialism, relativism, segregation, and violence) that must be overcome if our society is to move forward. Kim concluded by calling on the FSS community to step up and take action in meaningful ways throughout their communities, in their families, and in the classroom.
 
Leaders of the 1/2 Activism Club, Antonia and Malik, read through What Can A Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Shawn Harris. The story explains what good citizenship means to the world as we follow a group of kids who turn a lonely island into a community; a journey from what the world should be to what the world could be.
 
As part of Parent PBL Fridays, the Anti-Racist Activist Club, lead by parent Meredith Moore, have been meeting each week to explore the crisis of police brutality against people of color and to explore systemic solutions to this devastating problem. This group presented some of their findings with an emphasis on the insurrection on January 6.  
 
The Unit also created a Gratitude Board; both virtually which you can find here, and as a physical board in the hallway at FSS. Student are encouraged to contribute things they are grateful for to share with the community.
 
Of course All School Meeting isn’t complete without music from Kate! Kate played a beautiful rendition of Bound For Freedom by Emma’s Revolution. Before concluding the morning, students shared signs featuring their dreams and hopes for the future. This was truly a very special day and we are so happy that our community could still come together and celebrate Dr. King. If you were unable to join us, you can find a recording here.
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Fayerweather Street School | 765 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 | 617-876-4746
Fayerweather is a private PreK, kindergarten, elementary and middle school. We engage each child’s intellect.