For the students at Washington Middle School, and their peers who were visiting from Magnolia, most went to school on Thursday, May 11 expecting a typical day.
However, it ended up being an unforgettable, inspiring and historic day for these students when Nobel Peace Prize-winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu paid a visit.The surprise morning assembly featured remarks by Seattle Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas, Washington principal Jon Halfaker and an introduction by Lori Markowitz, who launched an innovative curriculum on South Africa to the school called "Community Building Through Global Understanding."
Music teacher Robert Knatt led the junior band in a rendition of "South Africa Suite." Archbishop Tutu spoke of peace, reconciliation and the experience of apartheid in South Africa. As a former teacher, Tutu was effective in drawing examples the diverse student body could readily absorb: Rosa Parks, segregation, assumptions based on skin color.
Tutu's humor, warmth and ordinariness transmitted a clear message to the students: stand up to injustice. He encouraged the students to rise to their feet and twice yelled, "I can make a difference!"
Soon the Washington Middle School community will welcome six students and three teachers from South Africa. Along with the new teachers, the school's collaborative curriculum will engage Washington Middle School students in artistic workshops and civic dialogue promoting literacy and creative learning through authentic interactions focusing on cross-cultural understanding and community building.[[In-content Ad]]
