OIEJB Update: Black History Month Recap and Ramadan

Black History Month 2025

SSFS celebrated Black History Month 2025 with a variety of displays and activities, including an author visit with the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. Here’s a recap:

The Lower School started the month off with a terrific production of “Rosa’s Courage and the Bus Boycott,” featuring Martine’s and Kathryn’s first-grade classes. The play told the story of Rosa Parks, the people around her who supported her decision to not give up her seat, and the many hands and feet that came together in community to right a societal wrong. View photos of the LS Black History Month Assembly.)

The Middle School celebrated Black History Month with a display intended to raise awareness about some of the less-famous Black Americans who made vital contributions to our society. Black students and their middle school friends have been invited to participate in “Black History Month” Spirit Week. Learn more.

The Upper School showcased research by students in Anthony’s AP African American Studies class during four “Lunch & Learn” sessions. Students presented their research to teachers and peers and fielded questions from Anthony and the audience. Some of the topics covered included Environmental Racism, Transgenerational Trauma, Black Hair, and AfroFuturism in Fashion. US students also watched an advisory lesson video about the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.

Finally, on Monday, Feb. 24, all three divisions welcomed author Carole Boston Weatherford and her son, artist Jeffery Weatherford. Visiting campus as a follow-up to the All School Read (The Roots of Rap), the Weatherfords talked about the evolution of hip hop from its roots in performance poetry, shared elements of their personal and family journey, and entertained our youngest learners with engaging read-alouds of Carole’s books.

Ramadan Begins Feb. 28, 2025

Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, begins on Friday, February 28, at sunset and will last until Saturday, March 29, at sunset. Practicing Muslim students and staff at Sandy Spring Friends School will be fasting (not eating food or drinking water) from dawn until dusk (approximately 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM at the beginning of the month and 5:40 AM-7:30 PM by March 29). 

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim Lunar calendar and, therefore, takes place about 11 days earlier each year.  In 2024, Ramadan began at sunset on March 10 and ended at sunset on April 9.  Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God, in order to increase their spirituality, discipline, self-restraint, and generosity.  Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the foundation upon which Muslims live their lives. The other pillars are faith, prayer, charity, and performing the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Learn more about Ramadan.