King’s ideals shape North Las Vegas school’s code

Dozens of children leap and shuffle on the playground before gathering into lines under a crisp blue sky as the school day begins.

The Pledge of Allegiance blares from speakers atop the adobe school building across the driveway. Clad in khaki uniforms personalized with colorful jackets and leggings, the students place hands on hearts and recite pledges not only to their country, but also to themselves:

"I believe in myself, and my ability to do my best at all times. I will act in such a way that I will be proud of myself and others will be proud of me, too."

The daily affirmation is one way the 100 Academy of Excellence school reminds students of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., "namely that everybody has worth, everybody has value," said Peggy Selma, principal of North Las Vegas' first charter school, on Comstock Drive, a short walk from Martin Luther King Drive.

"The student affirmations honor our country and remind the students that they can succeed at anything," Selma said. "The adults (faculty) also say a pledge, directly to the students, which promises they will treat the children with respect and dignity."

In the week leading up to today's holiday, students worked on special projects revolving around King. They discussed his life and teachings, read books, composed essays and sang songs related to the civil rights movement.

In a fifth-grade class, teacher Charlotte Harper explained that Rosa Parks was arrested in 1955 in Montgomery, Ala., for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a city bus. When the teacher said Parks was fined for her actions, pupils gasped.

In a third-grade classroom, students eagerly raised their hands when teacher Sandra Kanston asked what each had learned about King.

"He judged people not by color, but by character," said Aamari Simpson, 8. "He was friends with Gandhi, and Gandhi taught him nonviolence."

In Ruby Peters' kindergarten class, the children stood together and sang a song about King, with lyrics proclaiming, "He believed in doing good. Peace and love and brotherhood."

In another kindergarten class, students clustered closely to teacher Nicole Smith who read a book describing King's childhood and early experiences with discrimination. When the teacher asked the children how discrimination made the young King feel, they replied, "sad" and "lonely."

Two mentoring groups, Young Misses and 100 Black Men, helped the students with community activities, including a float in today's parade in downtown Las Vegas, honoring King.

"Our Young Misses group will help girls from grades one to eight serve veterans a hot meal at Pearson Community Center," Selma said. "We have a float in the parade, built by the 100 Black Men group, and some of the students will be on the float presenting excerpts of Dr. King's speeches and music from that period. The theme of our float is 'Moving Toward The Dream.' "

The Young Misses volunteers come from the 100 Academy's school board, The National Coalition of 100 Black women, parents and staff. They work with female students on hygiene, fashion, hair and behavior. The 100 Black Men of Las Vegas provide mentoring, tutoring and guidance to male students, primarily in fourth through eighth grades.

Lakiko Spaight, president of the school's parent-teacher organization and the parent of two first-graders, is excited about the parade float.

"It's a 'moving on up' theme and a wonderful, unique event," she said.

Spaight praises the integration of King's teachings into the curriculum. "In my children's first-grade classroom, they are trying to instill Dr. King's and other leaders' belief in nonviolence. With all the bullying in other schools these days, this is an important way to show the children there are other ways to resolve conflict without pushing or fighting."

Discipline and good conduct are a reflection of the administration's efforts to reach each student having behavioral difficulties, Spaight said.

"They sit and talk with each child to discover the root cause of the behavior, as there is often something deeper going on with these little people," she said. "It works."

Assistant Principal Shawn Smith described it as a respectful approach.

"These children are people. They know they can talk to us and we will listen. The students come from diverse families," Smith said. "Some families are troubled and some are happy. We stimulate the students on a personal level as well as an academic level. We often turn around troubled youth."

Mentoring programs from 100 Black Men that incorporate King's teachings are a big help, Smith said.

The school has seen its enrollment increase by 200 students to 519 since the 2009-2010 school year, according to Ron Grogan, chairman of the governing board. In 2010-11, the 100 Academy was recognized as the second-most improved school for learning gains for Imagine Schools, Grogan said.

"We have excellent community support and are moving forward and focused on providing all our students with an education that will put them on the road to achieving excellence," he said.

Imagine Schools, a nonprofit group based in Arlington, Va., operates 75 schools in 12 states and the District of Columbia.

The King quote that best embodies the academy's mission, Selma said, is, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

She added, "Justice means treat people as they need to be treated."

Selma said the 100 Academy puts those words into practice by recognizing each child as an individual and giving respect and guidance needed to build confidence, self-worth and strength of character.

The legacy of King might be celebrated by the world only one day a year, but his words infuse this school's students with hope and self-respect daily, reflected even in the students' morning affirmation closure:

"I have dreams for the future and I will climb to reach those goals and dreams every day. All children are capable of success. No exceptions!"