Celebrating School & World Cultures

Continuing with the Rachel’s Challenge character education program at their school, Nassakeag Elementary School students worked to create a greater understanding and acceptance of the different cultures that exist not only within the school but also the world as they celebrated this year’s Diversity Day. The event, which is typically an evening program but was rescheduled due to the recent blizzard, featured songs, dances and literary pieces from around the world. Additionally, class projects that showcased each student’s family culture, or that of an American immigrant, adorned the walls of the entire school building, while giant flags from different countries hung proudly around the school’s cafeteria.

“This annual event is one that brings together our school and community in a festive celebration of culture and understanding,” stated teacher Judith Larsen, who along with colleague Toni Conlon and parent-volunteers Christine Gacovino and Laura Mastraino coordinated the event as part of the Diversity Committee. “It is our hope that this event, in collaboration with our school’s Rachel’s Challenge program, helps to foster a better understanding of the diverse culture that exists in our school and the importance of being accepting of others,” she added.

To commence the program, the building’s kindergartners sang “We Are All Crayons,” first-graders performed “Teaching Peace,” sixth-grade students from Ms. Larsen’s class shared an Indian folk tale they had studied as part of their Reader’s Theater work, and select students showcased their talents on the Chinese yoyo and with an Indian fashion show and a Bollywood dance. In the school’s mini-gym, visitors had the chance to sign in at “Ellis Island,” visit different stations displaying facts and pieces from difference countries and create a square for the school’s paper “Children Have a Culture All Their Own” quilt, a project coordinated by Nassakeag’s student council. Students also visited Ancestry.com to research their own family history.