Announcements 
April
12, 2006
Dr.
Robert Coles brings The
Story of Ruby Bridges to life
for Cotting students
Photo:
The children watched intently as their new friend inscribed
a copy of the book for the classroom.
On April 12, Dr. Robert Coles visited Ms. Mayo's lower school
class to discuss his book, The Story of Ruby Bridges, which the students read during a unit on
the civil rights movement.
On November 14, 1960, the nation watched as six-year-old Ruby Nell Bridges walked
the steps into William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. A federal court
had ordered the New Orleans school system to desegregate, and had selected Bridges
to be the first African-American to attend the elementary school. She walked
into the school each day accompanied by federal marshals who protected her from
the crowd of angry parents flanking the sidewalk. Robert Coles captures the story
of his lifelong friend in his book.
During the visit, Dr. Coles answered the students' questions about Ruby Bridges
and what it was like to be working for civil rights in the South during the 1960's.
In turn, the students shared their essays about their civil rights heroes. Dr.
Coles was so pleased by the essays that he requested copies to share with his
colleagues. As one of the students said about Ms. Parks, "Thanks to her,
now all people can play together in peace and harmony."
Robert Coles is a child psychiatrist, professor at Harvard University, and author
of more than fifty books. He is best known for his explorations of children's
lives and books that explore their moral, political, and spiritual sensibilities.
He is also known as an eloquent spokesman for voluntary and community service
- the subject of his recent book, A Call to
Service. In addition, he has written
literary criticism, numerous biographies, reviews, poetry, social commentary,
several children's books, and regular columns for the New
Republic, New Oxford
Review, and American Poetry Review.
Robert Coles is the winner of America's highest civilian award, the Medal of
Freedom. In addition he is Pulitzer Prize-winning author and was an advisor to
former President John F. Kennedy. Dr. Coles was recognized as one of the country's
top creative geniuses by a MacArthur Foundation award in 1981.
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Announcements
