By Amanda Moses
Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA) VIII has always fostered an educational curriculum that incorporates volunteerism, community outreach, and humanitarian work.
Principal Chantal Grandchamps wanted to take their initiatives one step further by developing a weeklong appreciation for the numerous awareness campaigns going on throughout the fall. Grandchamps and her staff created awareness week, where each day the students wore an outfit indicative of whatever they were championing for the occasion as well as lessons surrounding that effort.
“After what we’ve been through, this year we are concentrating on helping the students be better people and teaching them character education and this month is generosity. We’ve seen how important it is that we are together, we’ve had staff, students, and even I suffered losses and just being away from each other has had an impact. The theme this year is love, joy, and family. I want the students to feel loved and that school is joyful, and we are a family. It’s about building everything back again,” Grandchamps said.
Wear White Monday
On October 25th, the students wore white in honor of COVID-19 Healthcare Workers Appreciation Day. For almost two years, the entire world faced the wrath of the coronavirus pandemic with our healthcare workers and other essential employees on the frontlines. In light of this, Grandchamps wanted the school to show their gratitude by dressing as healthcare professionals and putting on white clothes.
Wear Your Flag Tuesday
On Tuesday, the middle schoolers were able to salute Hispanic Heritage appreciation by donning the colors or flags that represent a specific Latin country. Hispanic Heritage month takes place from September 15th to October 15th; however, FDA VIII staff wanted to extend their commemoration by allowing the students to express their appreciation for LatinX culture.
Wear Pink Wednesday
On Wednesday, the third day of awareness students helped reign in October’s Breast Cancer awareness month by wearing pink and spreading the word about being vigilant in self-exams.
Wear Blue Thursday
On Thursday, to help promote a caring environment, everyone was invited to wear blue to further their anti-bullying awareness. Respect, love, and an open mind are daily lessons FDA VIII instructs their students, and they emphasize that words have power so it’s important to take everyone’s feelings into account when speaking to them.
Wear Your costume Friday
On Friday,deemed Freddy’s Autumn Celebration, the students were allowed to wear their house colors (FDA VIII classes are divided into prestigious university names), and school appropriate costumes. Those dressed with the most intricate outfit were awarded a trophy for best costume.
Photos by Amanda Moses and courtesy of FDA VIII
