Have you heard the news? AFIA students are going to choose a school mascot. The enrichment teachers have been working with classes of students each Thursday afternoon to explore potential mascot ideas. As the year continues, our staff, students, and families will vote on a mascot and then our students will design a visual image.
AFIA teachers submitted mascot ideas and the top four suggestions are currently being explored. The enrichment teachers created a video introducing the suggestions to our students. Watch the video here!
Top 4 Suggestions
Innovators
Our students learned about a true innovator, Ernest Everett Just. His research revealed new insights about cell reproduction. Through a variety of activities, students investigate the characteristics of innovators. For example, with Ms. Lacy, students created their own unique inventions. Then, they tried to convince their peers that no one should live without their inventions. Additionally, students learned about team uniforms and logo design. 
Game Changers
After the winter holiday, many students came back to school singing, “Don’t talk about Bruno”. We quickly learned Disney’s newest movie, Encanto, is more popular than a “pop it”. The music to Encanto, Moana, and Hamilton was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. We are currently working with students to explore his work and his impact on entertainment.
Uniters
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” was first performed by a chorus of 500 school children. Since then, it has become a rally cry for civil rights. Generations have gained hope and strength from this song’s inspiring words. As we teach our students about what it means to be a “Uniter”, we will be focusing on this song. For example, groups of students will create original choreography to express their interpretations of this song. We will also read and discuss, Sing a Song: How “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Inspired Generations Written by Kelly Staring Lyons and Illustrated by Keith Mallett.
Zebra
Did you know zebras see in color and have a very wide field of vision? At AFIA we teach our students to think broadly and celebrate the beauty around us. A zebra might make a perfect mascot! This spring, we will explore this option with our students. As one example, through the art of costuming, students will show how their own outer layer can convey their deepest internal strengths.
Academy for Integrated Arts is a PK – 6th arts integrated, public charter school. We believe children more deeply when they engage in the arts as part of the core curriculum. To learn more about our school, please visit: https://afiakc.org/.