ruby bridges
A person’s age doesn’t determine the power of their voice, and students at the South San Francisco Unified School District learned that after hundreds of students, teachers, and parents gathered at City Hall to celebrate the annual Ruby Bridges Day.
Monday’s march was led by Mayor Mark Nagales, who spoke about the impact of Bridges and the power of student votes.
“It just shows me that it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can make a difference in your community. And these amazing kids are showing me that if you put your mind to it, you can do it,” Nagales said.
Bridges’ official day is November 14, the day she became the first black student to enter the previously all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. The 6-year-old first grader and her mother called for US Marshals to guard them as white protesters threw racial slurs on their way to school.
The district’s first celebration began in 2018 with a question from a fifth grader, “Why isn’t there a day named after Ruby Bridges?”
The students at Martin Elementary School organized to honor Bridges after learning about her during a class. Fifth grade teacher Deborah Carlino helped students collect signatures to receive city, county and then state recognition in the form of a day honoring the civil rights hero.
Carlino learned during her master’s program in school that involving students in public policy will enhance their overall growth. She said she wants to teach them to be strong and resilient.
“I always want my kids to be involved in something, beyond the classroom and beyond themselves,” Carlino said. “Their first thought was, ‘Let’s call the President,’ and they think we can just call them on our bat phone, but there’s a process and we’ve gone through that process.”
After the walk to school event, Martin Elementary held a school-wide gathering and Ruby Bridges came to surprise the students.
Principal Jonathan Covacha said they gave students time and space to talk and reflect on the day.
“It was a day of dialogue, which is exactly what Ms. Bridges wants for the students,” said Covacha. “Sometimes you don’t sign up to be the person that makes a difference, but once they’re there, go ahead and make their voice heard because it matters.”
During the gathering, students came up with ideas for changes they wanted to see on the ground, including: a compost bin for their canteen to reduce their carbon footprint; homeless problems; problems with the attendance of students; and the importance of going to class.
They also expressed the need to reopen the town’s after-school program in Paradise Valley, which is within walking distance of Martin Elementary. It was recently closed by the city and moved to Orange Park, which is on the other side of town.
Many parents had to withdraw from the program because a move involved picking up their children to take them to Orange Park. While many parents don’t drive or work, it has become inconvenient; But there is a need, and the kids want the site to reopen or a solution found, Covacha said.
At a later date, the students will present their ideas at a city council meeting along with Carlino, she said, the aim is for the children to connect the children to make an action.
“I always feel like every action we take creates a ripple effect, we just don’t always see it,” Carlino said. “I really want to challenge adults to face the situation because it’s about seeing the world through a child’s eyes, like Ruby saw it.”
Visit: https://rubybridges.foundation/ for more information on Ruby Bridges Day.
