Imhotep Center of Education (ICE) has built its program around the concept currently known as African-Centered" education. Our holistic approach is based upon the premise that children will only excel academically and intellectually when the curriculum, teaching methodology, and environment reflects the builders of yesterday and the ideas of the future. Our belief in universal knowledge provides each student with the skills to meet the challenges of tomorrow.


SCHOOL PLEDGE

The Nguzo Saba (the seven principles) was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community. These values are called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili means that Seven Principles. Developed by Dr. Karenga, the Nguzo Saba stand at the hear of the origin and meaning of Kwanzaa, for it is these values which are not only the building blocks for community but also serve to reinforce and enhance them.

As a community of learners ICE has adopted these principles as one of our character building blocks and daily school pledge. Each student enrolled must learn this pledge.



THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES (OUR DAILY DEVOTION)

We the students of Imhotep Center of Education, believe that the seven principles will teach us the values of life:

UMOJA (oo-MO-jah)

Unity – to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

KUJICHAGULIA (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah)

Self-determination – to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

UJIMA (oo-JEE-mah)

Collective work and responsibility – to build and maintain our community together and make our sisters and brothers’ problems our own and solve them together.


UJAMMA (oo-jah-MAH)

Cooperative economics – to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

NIA (NEE-ah)

Purpose – to make our collective vocation to building of our community to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

KUUMBA (koo-OOM-bah)

Creativity – to do as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial that we inherited it.

IMANI (ee-MAH-nee)

Faith – to believe with our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

WHO IS IMHOTEP?

Imhotep was chief architect to the Third Dynasty King Djoser (2687 - 2668 BC). He is the first master architect we know by name, and was in charge of building the original step pyramid at Saqqara. This pyramid also set a precedent by including a collection of temples, pavillions, corridors, chapels and halls within the enclosure walls.

A commoner by birth, Imhotep's intelligence and determination enabled him to rise through the ranks to become one of the king's most trusted advisors. He eventually held the offices of High Priest of Heliopolis and Lector Priest, making him a very powerful and influential man whose name is given the great honor of being inscribed on the base of one of the statues of King Djoser.

Imhotep's influence lived on well after his death. In the New Kngdom he was venerated as the patron of scribes, personifying wisdom and education. In the 'Turin Papyri' from this period he is also described as the son of Ptah, chief god of Memphis, in recognition of his role as a wise councillor.

Source: BBC History Online