Last week, a spontaneous protest broke out in the Yard, led entirely by kindergarteners in VsM. It began when four children started chanting, “No Climate Change.” Others joined in and borrowed instruments from the Music Room to create more sound. 

Faculty, staff, and children walked by, asking about the protest, and one V got books to display on the benches. Others grabbed Greta Thunberg’s photos from the board in the classroom and marched with them. It went on for about 20 minutes in total. 

“It was thrilling for the Vs to experience the kind of community, solidarity, and power in protest that they did today,” said VsM teacher Mona De Victoria. “Upon returning to the classroom, many made signs and decided another protest would be held soon!”  

Although the march was unplanned, it was in response to conversations the group was having in the classroom. At Monday’s Block Meeting, the children considered what “all cities need.” The kindergartners began brainstorming; they thought about a school, a church, a shul, an airport, and a hospital. The children also thought about homes, which led to an acknowledgment that many are unhoused in New York City. As Vs discussed how to end homelessness, they thought it would be a good idea to respond and recognize that there is a social problem to address.  

Next, they read Our House Is On Fire by Jeanette Winter, which tells the story of Greta Thunberg’s school strike for the climate. While reading the book, many Vs expressed the same kind of concern that Greta did, and one V even said, “Can we really stop climate change?”  

The children talked about how, as Greta says, “You are never too small to make a difference” and how to take care of the earth, such as turning off the lights in the bathroom. The Vs have been very dedicated to this ever since!

Many thanks to Mona De Victoria for her significant contributions to this brief.