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Education is a big issue in northern Michigan, whether we're reporting on school funding issues to breakthroughs in the classroom.

Pathfinder School stays open in honor of Dr. King

Dr. King gives his famous 'I Have a Dream' speach at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. in 1963.

 

Most schools are closed today in honor of Martin Luther King Day. But Pathfinder School in Traverse City will stay open. They're using this as a teachable day, to celebrate and practice the teachings of Dr. King.

"He’s just such a powerful example about what one person can do," says Rob Hansen, director at the school. "One person with courage, one person who has the ability to communicate. One person who can collaborate. Those types of people can be leaders within our community, and we want our students to understand that when they’re three and five years old. You don’t have to wait until you’re in your thirties to make a contribution with the talents you have."

 

Hansen says the school decided to stay open. Then they let the students come up with how to honor Dr. King.

"Faced with the prospects of giving families the day off and thinking about children at home not necessarily engaging with the day or marking the day, we decided, let's do something" says Hansen.

On the Day of Service and Celebration students will spend the morning collecting goods at various locations through the city. The goods will be donated to Father Fred Foundation, Goodwill Inn and Leelanau Christian Neighbors' Baby Pantry.

In the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. the school is hosting a free concert with local musicians. The concert is open to the public. Hansen says this has been an important national holiday since 1983 and,"we need to find a way to make it relevant and meaningful and to celebrate that day."