Last week, students from Summer Street Elementary School and Huckleberry Hill Elementary School joined students across the country to participate in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.
On Nov. 14, 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges walked to William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana, becoming the first Black student to attend the formerly whites-only school.
Accompanied by U.S. marshals and bombarded with blatant racist threats every day, Bridges became known in American history as a civil-rights symbol and one of the figureheads of the movement to desegregate schools. In honor of Bridges, students in school districts across the country walked to school on Tuesday.
In Lynnfield, apart from the walk, students read “I Am Ruby Bridges” and discussed the book in their classes.
“We are thrilled to participate in this meaningful day,” Superintendent of Schools Kristen Vogel said. “We appreciate the support we have from our educators and community members who volunteered to participate by reading ‘I Am Ruby Bridges’ to several classrooms at both elementary schools.”
According to Lynnfield resident and AAA Northeast Senior Manager of Government Affairs Christina Hayman, taking part in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day offers educators an opportunity to connect lessons to civic engagement.
“We take pride in the fact that a fifth-grade AAA School Safety Patrol student recognized the importance of civil rights and took a leadership role in her community,” Hayman said. “Students need the opportunity to make tangible connections to social justice. Ruby Bridges is an ideal role model and example of the courage required for social change.”
According to Hayman, Bridges was not looking to make history, but rather just wanted to have access to an education in a safe environment. Her action initiated the desegregation of New Orleans’ public schools, she added. Hayman said that 63 years later, Bridges’ vision is still helping future generations of leaders end racism and all forms of bullying, one step at a time.
