Brighton Avenue School Holds Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Week and In-School Peace March

ATLANTIC CITY — Students and staff at Brighton Avenue School came together during the week of Jan. 15, 2026, to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a schoolwide Spirit Week highlighted by an in-school Peace Walk rooted in reflection, unity, and social-emotional learning.

Celebrated as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Week, the observance featured themed days designed to engage students in Dr. King’s message of equality, service and nonviolence. The week culminated in a Peace March through the building's halls held in recognition of Dr. King’s birthday, bringing the school community together in a shared moment of purpose and remembrance.

Brighton Avenue School Principal Jason Grimes said the goal was to help students get a better understanding of the civil rights movement.

“We decided to do a peace march so that students could experience what it was like to fight to do what is right,” said Grimes. “Students made signs for what they would like to help achieve in today’s society and they were proud to march around the school with their fellow classmates.”

The Spirit Week and Peace Walk were organized by Lisa M. Williams, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coach, who intentionally aligned the activities with the five core competencies of SEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Each day of the week was designed to reinforce these principles while supporting both academic growth and positive character development.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Week provided a meaningful opportunity for our school community to celebrate diversity and reinforce the importance of empathy, leadership, and civic responsibility,” Williams said.

Throughout the week, students participated in themed days including Red, Black & Green Day, Dream Profession Day, Navy Blue Day, Rep Your School Day, and the culminating Peace March. Together, the activities encouraged students to express pride in themselves and their school, explore future aspirations, and practice empathy and leadership in meaningful ways.

School leaders said the weeklong celebration provided a powerful opportunity to promote inclusivity, strengthen community bonds, and help students understand the relevance of Dr. King’s teachings in their daily lives.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Week at Brighton Avenue School served as a reminder that honoring historical legacies goes hand in hand with empowering young people to become thoughtful, compassionate, and civically engaged citizens. The school community thanked families, staff, and supporters for their continued encouragement of initiatives that uplift students and keep Dr. King’s vision alive for the next generation.

“We pride ourselves on working to create a collaborative environment here at Brighton Avenue School,” Grimes said. “We learn about history and we also try to create new history and that’s what happened here.”

To see our gallery of the In-School Peace March, click the link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VGRyNp4Hry2KLecMA

By Mark Tyler, District Communications Specialist
mtyler@acboe.org
609-343-7200 x5000