Ruby Bridges’ Theme to Lawrenceville Elementary School: Value the Differences of Others

Judith A. McLaughlin
LAWRENCEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
40 CRAVEN LANE
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ  08648
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      For Further Information Contact:
March 16, 2009                                                            Judith A. McLaughlin, Principal
                                                                                                             (609) 671-5570
 
N E W S    R E L E A S E
 
Ruby Bridges’ Theme to Lawrenceville Elementary School: 
Value the Differences of Others
 
 
       Ruby Bridges, a school integration pioneer as a six year-old child in 1960, spoke recently to the second and third graders at Lawrenceville Elementary School (LES.)  Ms. Bridges captivated her young audience while sharing her experiences as the only black child to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana.
       Before attending William Frantz School in first grade, Ms. Bridges shared with her young audience that she attended kindergarten in a school where all of the children, teachers, principal and staff were black.  When she looked at the LES audience, she happily noted that they were “as colorful as a bag of M & M’s.”  She stressed that selecting your playmates based upon their character rather than their appearance is a way to develop true friends.
       Ms. Bridges shared stories about how fearful she was during the early days, weeks, and months as she entered her new school by walking through an angry mob outside.  She was escorted daily by teams of federal marshals.  Her first year of school was spent alone in a first grade classroom with only her teacher, Mrs. Henry.
       Following the two and a half hour presentation, Ms. Bridges autographed over sixty copies of her book, Through My Eyes. 
      
 
2-2-2
 
     The program was funded by Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) through a grant entitled, “World of Difference,” awarded and implemented by Eva Bostick-Fuller, math specialist, Kathy Jensen, school counselor, and April Oliver, librarian.
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LAWRENCEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
40 CRAVEN LANE
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ  08648
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      For Further Information Contact:
March 16, 2009                                                            Judith A. McLaughlin, Principal
                                                                                                             (609) 671-5570
 
N E W S    R E L E A S E
 
Ruby Bridges’ Theme to Lawrenceville Elementary School: 
Value the Differences of Others
 
 
       Ruby Bridges, a school integration pioneer as a six year-old child in 1960, spoke recently to the second and third graders at Lawrenceville Elementary School (LES.)  Ms. Bridges captivated her young audience while sharing her experiences as the only black child to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana.
       Before attending William Frantz School in first grade, Ms. Bridges shared with her young audience that she attended kindergarten in a school where all of the children, teachers, principal and staff were black.  When she looked at the LES audience, she happily noted that they were “as colorful as a bag of M & M’s.”  She stressed that selecting your playmates based upon their character rather than their appearance is a way to develop true friends.
       Ms. Bridges shared stories about how fearful she was during the early days, weeks, and months as she entered her new school by walking through an angry mob outside.  She was escorted daily by teams of federal marshals.  Her first year of school was spent alone in a first grade classroom with only her teacher, Mrs. Henry.
       Following the two and a half hour presentation, Ms. Bridges autographed over sixty copies of her book, Through My Eyes. 
      
 
2-2-2
 
     The program was funded by Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) through a grant entitled, “World of Difference,” awarded and implemented by Eva Bostick-Fuller, math specialist, Kathy Jensen, school counselor, and April Oliver, librarian.
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