WOBURN — In honor of Black History Month, Woburn Memorial High School’s Black Student Union dedicated time to visit Woburn elementary schools to read to students as part of a Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) Black History event.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, students in WMHS’ Black Student Union (BSU) visited students at the Shamrock and Malcolm White Elementary Schools for a special event, Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) Black History.
D.E.A.R. Black History provided a designated period where students could stop whatever they were doing and just read together. BSU students visited every Shamrock and MW classroom, from preschool to Grade 5, and read age-appropriate books and stories about black historical figures to celebrate Black History Month.
BSU members and elementary students engaged in discussions as part of the event, intending to increase awareness of black historical figures beyond Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr., and to foster a more equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist education system.
The event also provided an amazing opportunity for students to learn from their older peers, and for BSU members to practice public speaking skills in front of a full classroom. Most of all, it allowed students to learn about history in a new and exciting way.
The program was led by BSU Advisors Michelle Charles and Assistant Principal Steve Martin.
“I feel that this is a historic event for Woburn Public Schools,” said Assistant Principal Martin. “The concept of a BSU at WMHS has been advocated for in recent years based on the shifting demographics of the community and schools, and it is amazing to see it come to fruition. We have well over 80 students participating in the club, encompassing Grades 9-12. It is exciting to see the impact that this club has already had on the high school, and throughout the district.”
“Typically, when folks hear the acronym D.E.A.R. they think of silent, sustained reading, but this is quite the opposite. This initiative simply means Drop Everything And Read Black History together,” said Charles. “The President of BSU went back to read to his 2nd/3rd grade teacher’s classroom. The English proficiency of a group of immigrants who moved here within the last year or two has skyrocketed to the point where they were proud of how they performed during the collaborative read-aloud. Their teacher was so impressed and couldn’t believe that two of them just arrived in the U.S. this year! One participating student now wants to pursue a career in teaching because of his experience during D.E.A.R. Black History in the classroom. This event has made a huge impact on our school community.”
WMHS’ BSU has been invited back next year to have a presence in the elementary schools. Woburn Public Schools looks forward to the continuation of this new tradition that creates a positive environment for students and staff alike to learn.
WMHS’ Black Student Union visited students at the Shamrock and Malcolm White Elementary Schools for a special event, Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) Black History. (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools) 
BSU students visited every Shamrock and Malcolm White classroom, from preschool to Grade 5, and read age-appropriate books and stories about black historical figures to celebrate Black History Month. (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools) 
BSU members and elementary students engaged in discussions as part of the event, with the goal of increasing awareness of black historical figures beyond Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools) 
The President of BSU reads to his former 2nd/3rd grade teacher’s classroom. (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools) 
Four BSU members read to Malcolm White students, a group of whom just moved to the United States this year. (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools 
BSU members and elementary school students read together during the Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) Black History event. (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools)