Washington students at the Martin Luther King Jr. mural.
Washington students at the Martin Luther King Jr. mural.

Washington Celebrates Life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King


January 22, 2024


The Washington Primary School community recently celebrated the life and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a series of lessons and activities. The initiative was timed to coincide with the national holiday recognizing the civil rights giant’s birthday.

A Washington student working on a Martin Luther King, Jr. related project.

During their library class, first-grade students participated in a collaborative activity inspired by the book “Change Sings” by Amanda Gorman. “This lyrical and poetic exploration illustrates how people can be inspired to work together towards creating a harmonious and peaceful world,” Washington Principal Michelle Richards said.

The story aligns with the beliefs and principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing the idea that positive change can be achieved through peaceful means.

To bring the story to life, first-grade students collaborated to create a mural, reminiscent of the one depicted in the book, showcasing Martin Luther King Jr. “This activity gave first grade students the opportunity to have pride in their hard work as well as see what can be accomplished as a group,” Dr. Richards said. “Thanks to their artistic skills, all students who view the mural have the chance to reflect upon Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on the world.”

During the daily morning announcements throughout the week, Dr. Richards shared Dr. King’s Six Principles of Non-Violence. “The students have an opportunity to apply Dr. King’s principles to their lives as Washington Winners,” the principal said. “At Washington Primary School, we strive to be a learning environment that exists in peace and demonstrate kindness to others.”