Potter Tours Freedom Schools

Freedom Schools V.I. welcomed Lt. Governor Osbert Potter to its Lockhart Elementary site on Monday, July 18 and its Ulla F. Muller Elementary site on Tuesday, July 19 as part of the Lt. Governor’s week-long tour of the territory’s five Freedom Schools participating in a six-week pilot this summer.

At Lockhart, students greeted Mr. Potter with chants, songs and positive affirmations before huddling to listen to him read “How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids.” The popular children’s book presents lessons on the differences between good and bad thoughts and feelings. As he read, Mr. Potter was keen to ask the students questions pertaining to the story to ensure they were understanding the ideas presented in the book.

On Tuesday, July 19, students and staff at Muller Elementary also greeted Mr. Potter with the same enthusiasm exhibited by their peers at Lockhart the day before. After a lively welcome chant from students, Mr. Potter sat down to read “The Never Snowy Christmas” written by Zenzi Hodge. It was a humorous tale set in St. Thomas that encouraged Virgin Islands’ children to appreciate the warm climate of their home, particularly during the winter months when other places are experiencing cold temperatures.

Following the reading session, which is a primary component of Freedom Schools, the students embarked on a series of high-spirited musical and dance routines. Students at both sites sang the Freedom Schools theme song, “Something Inside So Strong,” accompanied by movement that brought the words of the song to life. They also chanted many more positive affirmations, getting Lt. Governor Potter up on his feet and in on the fun. Impressively, the students had memorized each song and dance routine within three weeks of the six-week program.

But they were not putting on a show for Mr. Potter; in fact, it was a typical Freedom Schools day, which is marked by activities facilitated by Servant Leaders in an effort to increase students’ literacy skills. Students read five books each week as part of the program and are also given a book to take home. At the end of the program, participants would have each read 30 books and received six as gifts.

“This is what we do every day at Freedom Schools,” explained Executive Director Lisa Hassell-Forde. She said the atmosphere has so positively impacted the students that during a recent lunch break, she overheard a group of boys talking about the books they would read next. “Freedom Schools are changing our students’ lives and thinking,” she said beaming.

Mr. Potter was instrumental in bringing Freedom Schools to the Virgin Islands subsequent to meeting 2015 UVI commencement keynote speaker Marian Wright Edelman—president and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund that operates the Freedom Schools program throughout the United States.

According to an online search, “Freedom Schools were temporary, alternative free schools for African Americans mostly in the South. They were originally part of a nationwide effort during the Civil Rights Movement to organize African Americans to achieve social, political and economic equality in the United States.” Today, Freedom Schools cater to students of every racial and ethnic background.

Mr. Potter said he couldn’t be more pleased with what he saw at Freedom Schools V.I. during his tour.

“Seeing this dream become a reality is so rewarding,” he began, adding, “sometimes you have ideas but to see it actually come to pass is very exciting.”

A total of 125 students are being serviced, age five to eight, at five sites this summer. Each participating student is required to receive from the program a healthy breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, reading material and cultural education. Parental involvement is a significant component in the success of Freedom Schools, Dr. Hassell-Forde explained, adding that parents are required to attend three meetings during the six-week period of the program.

Mr. Potter continued his tour of the territory’s Freedom Schools on July 20 at Julius E. Sprauve Elementary School on St. John, and at St. Croix’s Juanita Gardine Elementary School on July 21 and Claude O. Markoe Elementary School on July 22.

Freedom Schools V.I. is funded through private donations from individuals and corporations. The program is expected to expand throughout the Territory next year. To donate to Freedom Schools V.I., visit www.cfvi.net.

Feature Image: Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter at Lockhart Elementary’s Freedom Schools program (Credit: Department of Education)