Black History Month celebrated at YES Early Learning Center with drums and dance

Black History Month, a time to honor the legacy of African Americans in our country, grew out of the efforts of Black historian Carter B. Woodson, who sought to focus attention on the history and heritage of Black Americans. 

What began as Black History Week expanded to Black History Month and was first officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976, and by each president to follow. In addition, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History designates a theme each year.

The year’s theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” focuses on the influences that African Americans have had on visual and performing arts, music, fashion and other forms of expression.  

In honor of Black History Month, the YES Early Learning Center at St. Ladislaus had some special guests stop by to teach the children about African culture. 

Mr. Victor and Miss Audrey from Marshall Hand and Drum Ensemble put on a wonderful performance for the children of the school. This drumming and dancing duo are local to New Brunswick and make sure they are involved in the community. 

Mr. Victor and Miss Audrey performed two sessions, so that all the classes from the school could participate. Mr. Victor played the drum while Miss Audrey danced traditional African dances like the one performed while gathering food in African villages. The children, who were very interested and engaged in the informative session, were then given instruments to play, had the opportunity to dress up in authentic African garb and learned new things about African culture. 

In addition to the Marshal Hand and Drum team’s performance, the YES Early Learning Center at St. Ladislaus also honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  in January. Volunteer readers from RWJ Barnabas Health in New Brunswick from various departments including security, parking lot attendants, nursing aides, lab technicians, etc. visited over the course of two days to read to the young students. 

Volunteers read the book “Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.?”  by Lisbeth Kaiser and engaged the children in conversation about the reading. Mariam Merced, director of RWJUH Community Health Promotions Programs and Social Impact and Community Investment lead, and her team of volunteers have visited the school on many other occasions and will return in March for Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’ Birthday.

“Children are natural learners, and our goal is to help them develop a well-rounded and diverse skill set,” said Cheryl Curry, director of the YES Early Learning Center at St. Ladislaus. “Therefore, it is important that they learn about all cultures, their similarities and their differences.” 

Catholic Charities provides free preschool for New Brunswick residents and even though the school year has begun, children can still be enrolled. New Brunswick residents interested for preschool for their child should contact the schools directly. To contact the YES Early Learning Center at 115 Robeson Blvd call 732-249-3881. To contact the St. Ladislaus Childcare Center at 197 Somerset Street in New Brunswick, please call 732-214-1475. 

If you have further questions regarding Catholic Charities Child Care please reach out to billing staff in your specific county. For Warren & Morris Counties, please call 908-454-2074. For Somerset & Middlesex Counties, please call 732-934-2800. 

For more information on the child care services offered at Catholic Charities visit ccdom.org/child-care. 

Catholic Charities Child Care centers are hiring for various positions both full and part-time. If interested in applying, please send resumes and cover letters to [email protected] and [email protected].

For more information about Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen, please visit ccdom.org. Like and Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ccdom1 to stay updated on upcoming events and ways we help clients get the services and assistance they need.

Tiffany Workman is the Communications Specialist in the Office of Communications and Public Relations