CPS Closes the Year with Music, Laughter and Moral Lessons

On Wednesday June 10, Community Partnership School’s 60 students closed the school year with a jaw-dropping, multiple standing ovation-inspiring End of Year Performance.

The Honickman Learning Center’s auditorium was a packed house, as parents, family members, staff and friends squeezed in to watch the performance.

So many proud CPS parents, grandparents, family members, and friends!

First, the third grade, the school’s oldest students, presented a musical entitled “Character Matters.” The play featured characters from famous fairy tales, such as Rapunzel, Prince Charming, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, with plenty of clever lines and jokes: “Jack stole a goose, I think he needs mentoring. Goldilocks, no, she’s breaking and entering!” Although the play had many laugh out loud moments, its theme was based on values like kindness, respect, and honesty. For example, the characters sang a song about the “Golden Rule,” treating others like you want them to treat you, to the Big Bad Wolf to prevent him from eating Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother. The play was organized by Ms. Kari Lynn Hearn, a CPS volunteer, who worked with the third graders for several months to perfect their performance.

The three pigs sing back-up for Cinderella in the third grade play "Character Matters."

Next, Mr. Ira Bond, who teaches African drumming and dancing in the After School program, emceed CPS’s own Motown Revue. Each class, starting with pre-kindergarten, sang, danced, and wowed the crowd with renditions of Motown classics, like “Sugar Pie Honey Punch,” “My Girl,” and “Please, Mr. Postman.” Ms. Lynette Rembert and the After School Program staff organized the performance, which also included “appearances” by the Temptations and Stevie Wonder.

A first grade student sings Stevie Wonder, complete with trademark dark glasses and two back-up singers.

Students also displayed their martial arts blocking, kicking, and combination skills under the direction of After School instructor Brother Ali.

Eric Jones, Head of School, concluded the event by expressing gratitude for all the people who helped make the school year a success, including the faculty, staff, volunteers, Board members, and the families.

With the 2008-2009 school year at an end, CPS looks forward to the fall and welcoming a new class of pre-k students, as it prepares for another action-filled year!