CHICAGO (February 5, 2004) – Archdiocese of Chicago elementary and secondary schools throughout Cook and Lake counties will celebrate African American Heritage Month throughout the month of February.

“In celebration of the rich heritage of African Americans, schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago will host liturgies, performances and educational programs that honor the importance of preserving the culture and character of diverse groups,” said Nicholas M. Wolsonovich, Ph.D., superintendent of Schools. “Our schools observe African American Heritage Month in an effort to call specific attention to the many contributions that African Americans have made to our society. In celebrating this year’s theme – Kuumba – the Kwanzaa principle meaning creativity, several activities will illustrate the spirit of creativity as students study their ancestors and discover the creativity that lives in each of them.”

Here are some highlights of hundreds of celebrations, programs and projects scheduled throughout African American Heritage Month in the Archdiocese of Chicago:

Tuesday, February 17

St. Thomas More School, 8130 S. California Ave., Chicago

The school has invited parents, alumni and local community leaders to participate in a career day to teach the students about different professions. Two sessions will be held for students – one at 10 a.m. and other at 1 p.m. Students will hear from several professional people, including lawyers, police and fire officials and business leaders. There will be an opportunity for students to ask questions following each session.

Friday, February 20

St. Margaret of Scotland School, 9833 S. Throop St., Chicago

During a 1 p.m. program, students will recite the history of African Americans, perform skits, recite poetry, dance and sing in celebration of African American culture. The junior high students have researched the lives of famous African Americans and each grade will participate in the assembly.

Nazareth Academy, 1209 W. Ogden Ave., LaGrange Park

In honor of African American Heritage Month, students at Nazareth Academy are producing “The Dinner Party,” a perspective on race and race relations in the United States that will feature historical and contemporary personages in a dinner party setting. The program will take place Friday, February 20 at 9 a.m.. The characters selected for the production represent historical and contemporary persons, including John Brown, Jefferson Davis, Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Toni Morrison and Rosa Parks. Students researched the characters, wrote the script and will act in the production, which will be performed for students, parents and guests.

Tuesday, February 24

Academy of St. Benedict the African, 7033 S. Honore St., Chicago

Students will participate in a 9 a.m. program that honors the creativity – or Kuumba – of African Americans from the early 1900s to the 21st century. Students have been researching the lives of famous African Americans and during the assembly, each class will perform a skit, recite a poem, sing or dance based on what they’ve learned.

Thursday, February 26

St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 5472 S. Kimbark Ave., Chicago

Students from St. Thomas the Apostle School have researched the lives of famous African Americans and will perform skits, sing, dance and recite poetry for the parents at an assembly in the church at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 3

Visitation School, 900 W. Garfield Blvd., Chicago

Students from St. Gall School, 5515 S. Sawyer Ave., Chicago, will travel to Visitation School for a special celebration in honor of African American Heritage Month. Students from both schools will participate in a program that celebrates African American music, dance, visual arts and poetry. A slide show will highlight famous African American artists. St. Gall’s preschool class and Visitation’s first-grade class will recite poetry. Students will sing and perform dances. The program is being planned by faculty members at both schools and will take place at noon on Wednesday, March 3.

Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by providing academic excellence and faith formation for approximately 111,000 students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in the 283 elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are more than 5,800 teachers in the Catholic school system who instill values, teach discipline and achieve strong, consistent academic results in the Archdiocese of Chicago's 242 elementary and 41 secondary schools. Visit the Archdiocese of Chicago Web site at www.archchicago.org/schools.