FEBRUARY 29, 2024

The vibrancy and energy of the Roaring Twenties came to life at Pleasantville Middle School, as eighth-grade students took a journey back in time that was captured by LoHud/The Journal News.

As the culmination of their social studies unit on the 1920s, students researched significant figures and brought them back to life, portraying the characters in period-appropriate costumes and interacting at a party in the style of the Prohibition era. “Guests” from cultural, historical and political arenas included Harry Houdini, Babe Ruth, Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel, actress Mary Pickford, and suffragist Alice Paul, among others. 

The complete video story and photo gallery that ran on February 26 are available to subscribers online and on the LoHud Instagram page. The print article that appeared in the Journal News on February 28 is here.

Below are some photos from the story. The accompanying LoHud Instagram story reads:

“A Roaring Twenties party was the culminating activity for eighth-graders learning about the era at Pleasantville Middle School. The party went virtual during the pandemic, but this year the students returned to in-person mingling while portraying a historical figure they chose and researched.

“‘We’re trying to institute research skills, and at middle school kids love to role play, so this makes it a fun activity for them to do, to dress up, to explore and pretend to be somebody. So, it's a nice cultural experience,” said social studies teacher James Carey.

Pleasantville High School senior Dillon Tsang has been named a Finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Dillon met all the requirements to advance to become one of 15,000 Finalists in the competition. That means that Dillon is in contention to be selected as one of the potential 7,140 Merit Scholarship winners to be announced in the spring.

Dillon has been described as “an exceptional student with a unique blend of academic brilliance, musical talent, and remarkable personal qualities,” by School Counselor Allyson Winston.

Our district applauds Dillon’s achievement and wishes him continued success.

BRS students enjoy a reading of “Whoosh!” about Super Soaker creator and NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson

Throughout the past month, the district’s school libraries have been dedicated to commemorating Black History Month with a series of activities and displays to acknowledge and celebrate the cultural, historical, and political contributions of Black individuals throughout our nation’s history.

And while many people may be aware of such notable Black figures as Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr. or Maya Angelou, fewer may know that a Black NASA engineer is credited with being the inventor of an iconic childhood toy: the Super Soaker.

At Bedford Road School, students were treated to readings of books centered on prominent Black figures, including “Whoosh!” by Chris Barton, which delves into the story of Lonnie Johnson, the engineer who invented the Super Soaker. During the reading session, librarian Patrick Murphy recalled his own childhood experiences with the classic summertime toy.

Expanding the exploration of Black excellence, Murphy curated a selection of books and YouTube videos featuring many notable figures, including the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. Since their establishment in 1929, the basketball team has been captivating audiences around the world with their athleticism and charismatic performances.

Meanwhile, at Pleasantville Middle School, the library and school corridors were

adorned with posters featuring photographs and inspiring quotes from influential Black figures throughout American history. These visual displays served as reminders of the resilience, leadership, and cultural richness of the Black community.

The Pleasantville High School library featured research poster presentations crafted by students, including those enrolled in the Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) Intro to African American Studies course. The presentations delved into various topics, including discrimination (also known as colorism when referring to prejudice based on skin color) and the lives of notable individuals such as Billie Holiday, Emmett Till, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, and highlighted the significant contributions of Black individuals to everyday life.

Pleasantville Middle School library poster in honor of Black History Month

Student research on Black contributions showcased at PHS library display for Black History Month

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