Martin Luther King Awards Go to Understanding Handicaps
& Two MHS Parents
by Joan R. Simon
(January 8, 2004) Fifty
years after the US Supreme Court’s ruling in
Brown v. Board of Education that led to desegregation in
schools nationwide, the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Human Rights
Commission is honoring the anniversary by awarding its
annual recognition to two individuals and one program based
in the Mamaroneck schools.
The 2004 Martin Luther King, Jr. Award will go to Monica
Trujillo and Joan Bailey for their work on behalf of Latino
families at Mamaroneck High School, and to the Understanding
Handicaps program, which has been a part of the elementary
schools’ curriculum for 15 years. The award ceremony
will occur amidst singing, “stomping” and speeches
at the Emelin Theater on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:30 pm.
Monica Trujillo and Joan Bailey, both high school parents,
are “symbolic of the work that is being done throughout
the school district to reach out to the Spanish-speaking
community,” noted Human Rights Commission Chairwoman
Robin Nichinsky. Trujillo and Bailey organized the translation
into Spanish of the PTA parent handbook, college guide, financial
aid guide and athletic handbook. Through Latino parent meetings,
they have reached out to families that do not speak English
and would otherwise feel disconnected from the school.
The Understanding Handicaps program is coordinated by Judy
Rozner with classroom support by PTA volunteers. During its
15-year history, the program has provided in-class presentations
on various handicaps and has enabled elementary students
to better understand and empathize with the problems faced
by the disabled. Rozner has used an assortment of props,
from crutches to Braille cards, to help students experience
situations faced by individuals who are blind, hard of hearing,
learning disabled or otherwise handicapped. The program is
designed to “increase inclusiveness” and encourage
students to “begin thinking about problem-solving for
solutions to obstacles people face,” noted the Commission.
“All of the participants and Ms. Rozner exemplify
the spirit of Dr. King,” the Commission commented.
The keynote speaker for the evening will be David Rudenstine,
Dean of the Yeshiva University-Cardozo School of Law and
Professor of Constitutional Law. The theme for this year’s
program is “Fifty Years after Brown v. Board of Education:
A Dream Deferred?” Admission is free and everyone in
the community is invited to attend.
Print This Article--For best results, highlight text, print selection
Email
this article
|
