Black History Month honored at Grimes Elementary School
![Five students smiling for the camera.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741716011/mtvernoncsdorg/s0czwu7x9ug903nam8db/GRIMESBHM-4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741716011/mtvernoncsdorg/s0czwu7x9ug903nam8db/GRIMESBHM-4.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741716011/mtvernoncsdorg/s0czwu7x9ug903nam8db/GRIMESBHM-4.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1741716011/mtvernoncsdorg/s0czwu7x9ug903nam8db/GRIMESBHM-4.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1741716011/mtvernoncsdorg/s0czwu7x9ug903nam8db/GRIMESBHM-4.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1741716011/mtvernoncsdorg/s0czwu7x9ug903nam8db/GRIMESBHM-4.jpg","width":2200}])
Black History Month honored at Grimes Elementary School
Scholars at Grimes School performed flips and tricks across the stage as the crowd went wild for their performances in honor of Black History Month on Friday, March 7, 2025. Families and students gathered in the auditorium to watch their loved ones showcase their talents on stage.
The theme for this year’s performance was “Freedom as it Relates to Slavery and Song.” The show opened up with an introduction, talking about the importance of spirituality to enslaved people in the United States. They highlighted how Spirituals are a way to express feelings, build community and protest oppression.
“Every Black History Month, I try to find something that I know the kids can relate to. If they can't relate to it, I know their parents can…” Cynthia Freeman, Music Teacher at Grimes Elementary said. “So, our theme this year was freedom, and we talked about slavery. We've talked about how slavery impacted people back in the 1600s.”
Once introductions were complete, the first act went on. First through fifth-grade scholars in the chorus sang “Ringing Them Bells” before a poem about strength and freedom was recited to the audience. Afterwards, seventh grade student Hillary Lemo performed a dance to “Something Inside.”
“I've had a passion for dancing ever since kindergarten,” said Hillary. “It was a little scary to perform, but not too much because I've done it many times, and they're really supportive. So, that's really fun.
The second half of the show was filled with immersive dance performances. A variety of genres were presented on stage, including African, hip hop and contemporary. The final numbers of the day were complete with drum performances, getting the audience up and moving!
![Two students reading.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741983025/mtvernoncsdorg/pjwytiial7athz92fvcw/Grimesreadcrossamerica-3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741983025/mtvernoncsdorg/pjwytiial7athz92fvcw/Grimesreadcrossamerica-3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741983025/mtvernoncsdorg/pjwytiial7athz92fvcw/Grimesreadcrossamerica-3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741983025/mtvernoncsdorg/pjwytiial7athz92fvcw/Grimesreadcrossamerica-3.jpg","width":1056}])
Grimes School celebrated Read Across America Week by sharing the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, "The Smart Cookie" by Jory John and Pete Oswald. The book helped teach the universal message of self-worth and the willingness to grow.
Scholars at Grimes School performed flips and tricks across the stage as the crowd went wild for their performances in honor of Black History Month on Friday, March 7, 2025. Families and students gathered in the auditorium to watch their loved ones showcase their talents on stage.
![Mother and daughter posing with free laptop.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741626142/mtvernoncsdorg/ogv7dlxdk29uqac1zgcp/GRIMES-PTA-attmeeting-10.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741626142/mtvernoncsdorg/ogv7dlxdk29uqac1zgcp/GRIMES-PTA-attmeeting-10.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741626142/mtvernoncsdorg/ogv7dlxdk29uqac1zgcp/GRIMES-PTA-attmeeting-10.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1741626142/mtvernoncsdorg/ogv7dlxdk29uqac1zgcp/GRIMES-PTA-attmeeting-10.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1741626142/mtvernoncsdorg/ogv7dlxdk29uqac1zgcp/GRIMES-PTA-attmeeting-10.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741626142/mtvernoncsdorg/ogv7dlxdk29uqac1zgcp/GRIMES-PTA-attmeeting-10.jpg","width":2048}])
“Online safety must be emphasized,” repeated the crowd in unison as Andrea Thomas, Principal of Denzel Washington School of the Arts, presented information on cell phone and internet safety. On Monday, March 10, 2025, the Grimes School Parent Teacher Association gave an engaging presentation to parents and students on cell phone readiness and handed out free laptops provided by AT&T to each parent in attendance.
![Mother and her children.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739282640/mtvernoncsdorg/sauj58cmzms1l99kyoa5/Val-Grimes-18.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739282640/mtvernoncsdorg/sauj58cmzms1l99kyoa5/Val-Grimes-18.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739282640/mtvernoncsdorg/sauj58cmzms1l99kyoa5/Val-Grimes-18.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1739282640/mtvernoncsdorg/sauj58cmzms1l99kyoa5/Val-Grimes-18.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1739282640/mtvernoncsdorg/sauj58cmzms1l99kyoa5/Val-Grimes-18.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1739282640/mtvernoncsdorg/sauj58cmzms1l99kyoa5/Val-Grimes-18.jpg","width":2200}])
Grimes School students and families had a night of dancing and celebration at their Valentine’s Love Ball on Friday, February 7, 2025. The ball was organized by The Unique Learners at Grimes School, a part of the Special Education Department. The Unique Learners team works collaboratively to meet each student’s educational needs, ensuring they receive tailored support at their level.
Click here to view the full photo gallery!
Click here to view the video highlighting the Valentine's Love Ball!
![Grimes School ENL Class celebrates the holidays with Great Grandma Read-Aloud, Author Visit and Festive Fun]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1735050394/mtvernoncsdorg/nxvk7jdidhfttgkfpsg2/Grimeenlchristmasreadaloud.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1735050394/mtvernoncsdorg/nxvk7jdidhfttgkfpsg2/Grimeenlchristmasreadaloud.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1735050394/mtvernoncsdorg/nxvk7jdidhfttgkfpsg2/Grimeenlchristmasreadaloud.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1735050394/mtvernoncsdorg/nxvk7jdidhfttgkfpsg2/Grimeenlchristmasreadaloud.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1735050394/mtvernoncsdorg/nxvk7jdidhfttgkfpsg2/Grimeenlchristmasreadaloud.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1735050394/mtvernoncsdorg/nxvk7jdidhfttgkfpsg2/Grimeenlchristmasreadaloud.jpg","width":2200}])
On Thursday, December 19, 2024, students in Jocelyn Rios’ English as a New Language (ENL) class at Grimes School were treated to a Great Grandma Christmas Read-Aloud party, where they enjoyed all sorts of Christmas festivities. Whilst enjoying snacks, pastries, and refreshments provided by the parents, students listened to a live reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” read aloud by Mrs. Rios’ mother, a long-time resident of Mount Vernon.
![Grimes celbrates Hispanic Heritage with living wax museum]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733515533/mtvernoncsdorg/lbga43uzgrg01skedes5/Grimeslivingwaxmuseumday2-4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733515533/mtvernoncsdorg/lbga43uzgrg01skedes5/Grimeslivingwaxmuseumday2-4.jpg","width":333}])
English as a New Language (ENL) students at Grimes School confidently performed historical figures of Hispanic Heritage amongst all of their school peers and community. Each grade was invited to participate in the “Believe that the Impossible is Possible! Living Wax Museum and Dance Hall” from December 4 through December 6, and learn about notable Latin names such as Ellen Ochoa, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, and Santana.
![ENL Students standing under balloon arch]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733335778/mtvernoncsdorg/woqym5qguvpqnelus7cr/GrimesHispanicHeritageLivingMuseum2024-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733335778/mtvernoncsdorg/woqym5qguvpqnelus7cr/GrimesHispanicHeritageLivingMuseum2024-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733335778/mtvernoncsdorg/woqym5qguvpqnelus7cr/GrimesHispanicHeritageLivingMuseum2024-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1733335778/mtvernoncsdorg/woqym5qguvpqnelus7cr/GrimesHispanicHeritageLivingMuseum2024-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1733335778/mtvernoncsdorg/woqym5qguvpqnelus7cr/GrimesHispanicHeritageLivingMuseum2024-1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1733335778/mtvernoncsdorg/woqym5qguvpqnelus7cr/GrimesHispanicHeritageLivingMuseum2024-1.jpg","width":2200}])
On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Grimes School held a virtual viewing of “Believe that the Impossible is Possible! Living Wax Museum and Dance Hall” to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and prolific figures in the Latin community. This virtual performance is the first installment of a three-day series. Parents are invited to watch grades K-5 perform on December 5 at 9 a.m. and grades 6-8 perform on December 6 at 9 a.m. in the auditorium and cafeteria.
![Mikes Tire and Auto Repair Shop - Grimes]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732557555/mtvernoncsdorg/hiywuh1aaogs0phcrqej/MikesTireandAutoRepairShop-Grimes.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732557555/mtvernoncsdorg/hiywuh1aaogs0phcrqej/MikesTireandAutoRepairShop-Grimes.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732557555/mtvernoncsdorg/hiywuh1aaogs0phcrqej/MikesTireandAutoRepairShop-Grimes.jpg","width":640}])
Grimes School recently accepted a donation from Mike and Rebekah Garabito of Mike's Tire & Auto Repair Shop. The donation is a symbol of shared community between the school and the neighborhood, as the shop is right across the street from Grimes. The funding will be used for a variety of events, and staff at Grimes expressed appreciation for the donation wholeheartedly.