Stories

March 9 was a memorable day for our second graders. These students honored African American writers, illustrators, and “firsts” by hosting the fourth annual Lunch & Learn. Second graders graciously served lunch to Charlotte business people, community leaders, and friends of the school, along with sides of information about the lives of more than 40 remarkable African Americans. 

Each student spent weeks researching the contributions of an African American trailblazer and decorating a lunchbox with facts and photos from that person’s life. These lunchboxes were inspired by the “shoebox lunches” many African Americans ate while taking trips in the south during segregation when they would not have been allowed to eat in restaurants along the way. 

Guests ranged from Arts & Science Council President Krista Terrell and Levine Museum Community Engagement Manager Karen Sutton to Promising Pages Director Eric Law and MeckMIN Executive Director LeDayne Polaski. Middle school student ambassadors gave school tours to our guests when they arrived, highlighting the Black History Month projects on display from our other classes. 

Our guests then proceeded to the second-grade classrooms to meet their “waiters,” who introduced their historical figures and elaborated on their lives and accomplishments while serving them lunch. The visitors got to dive into their boxes for a delicious meal prepared by our own chef Erik Pelaez. 

After dining, all gathered outside, and each student took a turn on the microphone to share inspiring messages from the African Americans they researched for a truly memorable sendoff. One attendee shared: “I was so honored to be a guest at your Lunch & Learn yesterday. Thank you for sharing what you learned about all these amazing people with us!”

A special thank you is owed to second-grade teachers Maggie Harris and Janie Kendrick, Director of Community Life Danielle S. Ferguson, and Chef Erik Pelaez for assisting with this enriching event.