SOUTH DEERFIELD — Nearly 250 Frontier Regional School seventh and eighth graders marched around their school in honor of International Women’s Day Wednesday to shouts of “equal rights” and a rhythm drummed by eighth grade teacher Jason Smith.
“We wanted it to be a celebration as well as a recognition of where we have yet to go,” said Kristin Dolcimascolo, an eighth grade science teacher at the school.
Throughout the morning, teachers held discussions to raise awareness about “issues facing people who identify as female,” according to school officials.
Students also watched “Temple Grandin,” a movie about an autistic woman who revolutionized humane ways to keep livestock.
Dolcimascolo said last week, the students went on a trip to Washington, D.C. She said Wednesday’s event “not only gave the kids an idea of civics, but they were empowered — excited. We tried to make it as inclusive as possible.”
The day’s event culminated with a march. Students held signs as they walked around the North Main Street school building, lost in a “sea of black, red, and grey” sweatshirts, Dolcimascolo said.
“Red is for celebration for all that women have accomplished. The black is for what our society has yet to achieve for women … The gray is to show you are an ally. You stand with women around the world in their fight for equality,” school officials wrote in an email about the event.
“Everybody came together, all the teachers got involved and the school was really supportive. We have a lot of responsibilities, but everyone made time for this, and the kids are just awesome,” Dolcimascolo said.
“It was nice to have the kids come together, it didn’t matter where you were from, or what religion you are, backgrounds didn’t matter,” she added. “It was a way for kids to participate and support each other.”
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