Hazel Elementary School Hosts First Black History Month Event

Hazel Elementary held its first-ever event celebrating Black History Month, featuring special performances from students and parents, officials from West Orange Public Schools said.

The events took place at Hazel Elementary School, 45 Hazel Ave. in West Orange, on Thursday, Feb. 26. The events included musical, dance and poetry performances and attracted nearly 400 people to the event, including West Orange, including West Orange Public School District Superintendent Jeffrey Rutzky, school district officials said.

Additionally, Hazel Elementary second graders presented a “wax museum” featuring famous African Americans brought to life by students, who gave speeches dressed in costume and utilizing posters and props to convey historic contributions from their chosen person, school district officials said.

“The program was really great. It was both a history lesson and entertainment,” board of education member Sandra Mordecai said. “We were proud of the students as they read portions of essays they wrote on African Americans who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement, including Rosa Parks. We were also treated to great music across African cultures including Blues, Jazz, Hip Hop, Reggae, Afro Cuban music and Capoeira, which is a Brazilian dance with karate movements. A great time was had by all.”

(Photos courtesy of West Orange Public Schools)