By: Richard L. Smith
In a roboust collaboration between education and law enforcement to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy, students at Great Oaks Legacy Charter School’s Downtown Elementary School partnered with Newark Public Safety’s 9th/Metro Precinct to create a “Peace Tree” project emphasizing unity and equality.
The initiative, held on January 17, was led by Community Service Officer K. Felder and supported by school staff, blending creative expression with powerful lessons inspired by Dr. King’s teachings.
According to information released by Great Oaks school officials, the event was coordinated by Ebony Howard, the school’s Special Projects Coordinator, and Brianna Mayers, the Downtown Elementary School Director.
Their efforts ensured a meaningful experience for students, who engaged in hands-on activities that brought Dr. King’s message to life.
At the center of the celebration was the creation of colorful handprint “leaves” for the Peace Tree. Each handprint featured the phrase “I have a dream…” alongside personal aspirations written by the students.
The completed tree will be displayed at the 9th/Metro Precinct, symbolizing a shared commitment to fostering a community built on empathy and respect.
Officer Felder, reflecting on the collaboration, highlighted the importance of community partnerships.
“As a community service officer, my goal is to support all ages and demographics within our community,” Felder said. “Dr. King’s legacy reminds us to treat everyone with fairness and respect, no matter their background or identity.
Let’s continue to uplift each other and work together to create a community where everyone feels valued.”
To further illustrate Dr. King’s teachings, Officer Felder led students in an “Equality Egg” experiment.
By showing how brown and white eggs look different on the outside but are the same inside, the exercise reinforced the idea that external differences do not determine a person’s worth.
The event also provided an opportunity for students to interact with law enforcement in a positive and engaging way. Ms. Parada, a kindergarten teacher at Downtown Elementary, noted,
“It was so educational, and the scholars really enjoyed having a police officer in the classroom. We look forward to more events like this in the future.”
The collaboration between Great Oaks Legacy Charter School and Newark’s Department of Public Safety reflects a shared dedication to inspiring students through real-world examples of Dr. King’s values.
By combining classroom learning with meaningful community engagement, the Peace Tree project encouraged young scholars to dream big and contribute to a more inclusive future.