Cultural Diversity Day at Edison Intermediate School

Westfield NJ

08 June, 2021

10:34 AM

Description

Press release from Westfield Public Schools: June 8, 2021 As music representing different cultures wafted through the hallways, students at EdisonIntermediate School recently examined how what they study in their classes connects to andcelebrates cultural diversity. Students in world languages and other classes shared family recipes and stories of theirheritages as they celebrated the diversity of food while creating a Virtual Recipe Book duringCultural Diversity Day on May 21. Edison 6 th grader Georgia Morrelli shares a family recipe for a Virtual Recipe Book, as part of Cultural Diversity Day on May 21. Students and teachers in each subject participated in learning experiences designed to develop an understanding of diverse cultures and identities.Language arts classes participated in writing activities based on the cultural backgrounds of characters represented in books read during the past year. Pre-Algebra students researchedmathematicians from around the world and played a digital version of Mancala, an ancient gamefrom Eritrea and Ethiopia. Science classes explored the importance of global scientificcollaboration, especially during a pandemic. Grade level social studies activities ranged from a history of the Olympic Games to immigrationstories to reflecting on vignettes in "Tell Me Who You Are: Sharing Our Stories of Race,Culture, and Identity" by Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi. Edison 7 th grader Rassa Sohrabi researches 7 th Century Indian mathematician and astronomer Brahmagupta as part of Cultural Diversity Day on May 21."In each subject, students and teachers took time to engage in learning experiences designed to develop our understanding of a variety of diverse cultures and identities," says Edison principal Dr. Matthew Bolton. "Assistant principal Crystal Marsh and the Edison School No Place for Hate Committee really went above and beyond in the planning for this day." As part of another diversity and inclusion activity, all students also used a paper cutout of ahand to list five characteristics before comparing and connecting with the "hands" of studentswho share commonalities. As part of Cultural Diversity Day, 6 th grader Matthew Logozzo and other students at Edison Intermediate School used a paper cutout of a hand to list five characteristics, comparing and connecting with the "hands" of students who share commonalities."The activities planned for this day gave the students and staff of Edison the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and make connections in a variety of ways to embrace the diversity that exists within the Edison community," adds Marsh. Designated in 2019-2020 as a No Place for Hate School by the Anti-Defamation League, EdisonIntermediate School recently was named a 2020-2021 Gold Star No Place for Hate School bythe ADL, which applauded the school's many engaging activities, along with its "commitment tocreating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students." This press release was produced by Westfield Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.