The annual celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is a day that Sabot at Stony Point observes with an emphasis on reflection and service. For the last two years, Sabot at Stony Point’s school-wide umbrella project, Our Richmond, inspired everyone to take the celebration into the city to connect with other citizens of Richmond. This year, Sabot’s students, teachers, and parents will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life by gathering on Brown’s Island and the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial bridge which crosses the James River downtown. The symbolism of building bridges feels a fitting tribute to one aspect of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy. This week, the students worked across grades to create a banner which will be displayed from the pedestrian bridge on Monday, January 16th.
All of Sabot’s preschool through grade eight students worked on the banner. The three, four and five years olds partnered with third, fourth and fifth graders to paint the words, “Honor MLK! Build Bridges Between One Another.” Unlike many schools, which celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life by closing their doors for the day, Sabot honors the holiday by taking its students into the city to share their reflections on the civil rights leader’s work.
As they worked together, the students were invited to think about the question, “How do you build bridges to another person?” This week of reflection, culminating in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event, is meant to focus on the power of building bridges to develop compassion, empathy, and connection – and to help children think about how they can participate in the larger community.
Join Sabot at Stony Point on Monday, if your schedule allows, to honor Dr. King, sing a few songs, and enjoy the beauty of the finished banner! The 188-foot-long banner will be unfurled on T. Tyler Potterfield “T Pot” pedestrian bridge at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2017.
