In 1960, Ruby Bridges (September 8, 1954—present) walked through the doors of William Frantz Elementary School, in New Orleans, Louisiana. By doing so, she became the first African-American student to attend an all-white elementary school in the Southern United States.
Courtesy of Time for Kids
Classroom Video
Video provided by the Voices of Excellence (VOE), a minority student leadership group at Springfield Township High School that focuses on building its members character through service.
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Friday, November 13, 2026
Enfield - 9:15am
Erdenheim - 2:00pm
Families are invited to join your student for the walk
Every year in November, schools across the nation honor Ruby Bridges, whose bravery as a young child helped open doors for equality in education. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day reminds us all to practice kindness, stand up against bullying, and embrace diversity. By walking together, we celebrate Ruby’s ongoing message and encourage our students to believe in their own power to make the world a better place.
The School District of Springfield Township is proud to partner with the Multicultural Parents Association (MPA) and the Enfield-Erdenheim Home and School Partnership (EEHSP) for a special day of learning and connection. Our students will participate in an in-school walk, fun learning activities, and insightful conversations with guest speakers and local leaders.
What to Expect
On November 13th, students at Enfield and Erdenheim Elementary Schools will participate in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.
Led by School District of Springfield Township Superintendent Dr. MayJo Yannacone, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Damian Johnston, and the Enfield and Erdenheim Principals. students will symbolically "walk to school" as Ruby did that day in 1960. Students will be accompanied by students from Voices of Excellence (VOE), a minority student leadership group at Springfield Township High School that focuses on building its members character through service.
Families are invited to attend the walk and are encouraged to walk with their students.
Painter Norman Rockwell paid tribute to Ruby's experience in his painting, "The Problem We All Live With."
Learn More About Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Ruby Bridges' first day at William Frantz Elementary School was very unusual. Integration, or the sharing of schools by African American and white people, had recently become law in 1960. She was one of the first African American students to attend an all-white public school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Many people did not want her to go to the school. An angry mob yelled hateful remarks at her as she entered the school building. She had to be guarded by federal marshals to ensure her safety. But Ruby entered and stayed at the school, becoming one of the first African Americans to integrate a public school in the state of Louisiana.
Courtesy of www.knowitall.org/
