The namesake of Ruby Bridges Elementary - civil rights icon Ruby Bridges - visited the school this past Monday in honor of the AUSD’s Ruby Bridges Day. The day commemorates her walk into the all-white William Frantz Elementary School as its first black student in 1960.

The day’s celebrations began with an outdoor morning assembly that

included remarks by student leadership, Principal Danielle Pharr-Matthew, Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, and Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi.  After the assembly, students walked around the side of the school to enter via the front gates, while families and staff cheered and clapped to encourage them. 

Later that day, Ruby Bridges herself greeted children in a surprise assembly organized by staff to and encouraged them to work for change in the world.

Ruby Bridges Day aims to encourage students to take part in their own forms of activism to bring an end to racism and bullying. At its November 8 public meeting, AUSD's Board of Education approved a proclamation declaring November 14 Ruby Bridges Day across the district.

This year’s event at Ruby Bridges Elementary School was sponsored by AAA.  

• Read the AUSD Proclamation  
• Learn more about Ruby Bridges  

Photo Credits: Mandie Cline