In honor of MLK Day on Monday January 18,, The Idea School held a day of learning dedicated to the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the ideas for which he fought. Students explored Jewish sources against racism; examining racism in the workplace and in healthcare—especially during the pandemic; and connecting song to the ways the Ethiopian community has experienced racism. The students then watched “Black Panther,” and later discussed the significance of the film; seeing how director Ryan Coogler gave the world the first black superhero in a way that interrogates colonization as well as the black community’s responsibility to itself and the world.

Closing out the first semester, The Idea School students gave their Presentations of Learning (POL). The POL’s are a unique and authentic way for students to reflect on their semester of learning, think about the knowledge they acquired and understand the skills they developed and are still working through. Replacing the traditional final exam, the POL is prepared by the students and presented to the faculty and their parents to then pose additional questions and provide feedback.