The Jamesville Elementary School community recently celebrated a week of activities highlighting diversity and cultures from around the world, culminating in a virtual festival titled “We Live in a Beautiful World.”
“This incredible event focuses on cultural awareness and traditions, which play important roles in helping young children develop a positive sense of identity and self-esteem,” said Jamesville Principal Marcy Baker. “Our students and families get a chance to explore,
celebrate and increase their level of understanding about other cultures by interacting with people outside of their own culture.”
In collaboration with the Jamesville Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, the school held its annual Multicultural Festival on Jan. 29. The event, which was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has grown over the past four years and this year shifted focus to provide an interactive and virtual festival that continued the tradition of honoring the cultures and diversity within the school, Baker said.
Students participated in a number of in-school/remote activities:
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Posters: Some students created posters representing other countries that were displayed in the school.
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Coloring sheets: A coloring sheet was provided for every student, and they will be used for a collaborative art project.
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Diversity bracelets: Each student made a bracelet to wear for the Multicultural Festival week to show solidarity with each other and a commitment to honoring the diversity that lies within the school.
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Games: Each student received a game bag to take home that had a craft and highlighted games from two countries.
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Recipes: A recipe book was compiled to highlight cuisine of different cultures.
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Music: Cultural music was highlighted during the week.
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Library: Cultural books were highlighted during the week.
The highlight of the week was the virtual festival that included:
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Indian Bollywood Dance
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Chinese Calligraphy
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Lord Shiva Dance
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Chinese Poem Recital
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Cultural Wear
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Nepali Dance
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Cooking Scallion Pancakes
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House with Hearts
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Kathak Dance
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Piano
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Everyone Belongs sing along
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Multi-Language Lullaby