Petersburg Schools share in Inauguration in many ways

The students of the Petersburg City Public Schools found many ways to share in the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 20. At all of the schools, the ceremony was watched on television. At others, such as Blandford Academy, teachers and principals discussed the concept of the presidency and the long struggle of […]

January 21, 2009; 9:06 AM • by brenda p

The students of the Petersburg City Public Schools found many ways to share in the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 20. At all of the schools, the ceremony was watched on television. At others, such as Blandford Academy, teachers and principals discussed the concept of the presidency and the long struggle of African-Americans to achieve Civil Rights, which made Pres. Obama’s election possible.

Peabody Middle School even had two students whose academic achievements qualified them to attend the actual Inauguration celebrations in Washington, D.C.

At A.P. Hill Elementary, students received miniature U.S. flags from the American Legion, then gathered in the auditorium where they sang together before the Inauguration broadcast.

In addition, the Algebra Project, a partner with the PCPS, sponsored an Inaugural Essay Contest at AP Hill, with a $50 dollar first-place prize, won by student Shahnah Sharp.

“Their essays showed how deeply they are feeling about this,” said Gwen Price, PCPS Testing Coordinator, associated with the Algebra Project.

The activities of the day had one very important goal:

“We want our children to remember this forever,” said Dr. Phyllis Byrd, Principal of A.P. Hill Elementary School.

January 21, 2009 9:06 AM 0