School Notebook: First Graders Send MLK Artwork to National Museum

Work by Minnesauke first graders will be on display at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., after the students made cards, drew pictures and wrote letters in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

That's how students in Mr. Michael Dragotta's first grade class celebrated King's birthday.

“We learned a lot about him and read books about him because he was such a good man,” first grader Austin Choi said of Dr. King. “He wanted everyone to be fair.”

In the past, the museum has even sent photos to Mr. Dragotta's class showing museum visitors enjoying the students' artwork.

Curriculum Fair Draws Approximately 1,000

Ward Melville's Jan. 5 first-ever curriculum fair showed incoming and rising students all of what the high school has to offer in terms of courses and electives.

Sevent-six faculty members and a number of students manned tables to represent each class to approximately 1,000 who attended.

“We are hoping that this allows for a greater awareness of the offerings,” Principal Dr. Alan Baum said. “Sometimes reading a description in a book doesn’t really capture it in the way that speaking to a teacher or student of the class would.”