Wright Middle School
Annual Black History to keep it alive
   By Laura Salinger
    
    March 7th will mark Wright Middle School’s annual Black History Month celebration and they will once again celebrate with their usual fervor. Going
above and beyond average school observances of Black History Month, Wright hosts a large-scale community feast each year which features student-led
performances and other entertainment.
    According to Wright Principal Nancy Evans, the event is an opportunity for students to be involved in their school outside of the classroom, while
promoting the idea that community is key to a school’s success. “Our African American history celebration really has become a homegrown, school-
based event,” Evans said. “The kids really have a voice in the event and play a crucial role in putting it on.”
    A number of area businesses and community members join together each year to donate the makings for a traditional soul food dinner at the event.
“We have chicken, greens, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and more,” Evans said.
    This year, students will read poems they have written to commemorate Black History Month and other entertainment will be on hand. Evans is quick
to point out that while Wright’s Black History Month celebration has grown to be a large annual event at the school, it is not the only event that
celebrates Wright’s diverse student population. In May, the school will host their annual Latino/a celebration.
    Also on the docket this year is an exciting event paying tribute to the school’s namesake: James C. Wright. On April 6 from 3-5 p.m., Wright students
will present the play “James Coleman Wright: A Life Lived for Others.” Written by teacher Steven Stack and performed by students, this unique
performance will also accompany a student-written commemorative book about James C. Wright. Former pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Madison
Equal Opportunities executive director, Wright was a pioneer for civil rights in Madison. This year, his life will be remembered and brought to the stage
by students of a newer generation.
    While Wright Middle School puts itself on the map by providing school-based events that celebrate a diverse student population, Wright was once a
school that struggled greatly. Evans estimates that 89 percent of Wright’s students are students of color and 89 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch.
With high poverty levels, the school faces a higher risk of lower performance levels. But dedicated administrators and teachers have beaten the odds.
“In general, our school has moved into a brighter light,” Evans said. “Because for a while, Wright really wasn’t doing so well.”
    When Ed Holmes took over as principal at Wright in the late ‘90s, he had a tremendous challenge on his hands. He took it upon himself and his staff
to turn around the embattled school and he managed to accomplish just that. During Holmes’ six years at Wright, the school was awarded over $1
million in grants, Holmes received the prestigious Milken Family Foundation educator award, and student academic achievement improved.
    Evans came to Wright as a teacher in 1999 and then served as the school’s learning coordinator for three years. From 1976 to 1999, she was an
elementary level classroom teacher at Muir, Leopold, Lincoln and Randall Schools in Madison. Now as Wright’s principal, she had some pretty big
footsteps to follow. But she was up for the challenge and asserts that she is taking Wright to the next level. “When Ed came to Wright, his focus was to do
what was needed,” Evans said. “When I came, my focus was to take it to the next level.”
    With all the duties that face a principal, Evans emphasizes that the children come first. She continuously works to understand Wright students and the
challenges they face in today’s world. She views Wright’s diversity, not as a deficit, but as an opportunity to create relevant curriculum for students of all
colors and socioeconomic backgrounds. “We think it is very important for students to see themselves in the curriculum,” she said.
    Evans also stresses the importance of understanding new generations of “If you don’t take the time to get into a child’s world, how do you know
how to teach them?” she asked. “We have to really look at the changes in students and how these changes affect how a student learns. The joy for me is
finding what works.”
    Wright students are well above federal guidelines for academic performance and student attendance rates remain high. “Our attendance rate is very
high because our students want to be here,” Evans said.
    The upcoming events at Wright also improve student’s participation at their school, while creating a sense of familial and community involvement.
These are key components to Wright’s mission. “We have been known for creating a wonderful, family-like environment here,” Evans stressed. “We work
hard to provide a lot of opportunities for our students.”
Laura Salinger is a freelance
writer based in Madison, Wis.