Students at New Berlin Elementary recently had the opportunity to participate in the school's first United Nations Day, hosted by the Student Council.
Fifth-grade student council president Toby S. said he and his fellow members decided the school should host a United Nations Day to celebrate the students’ diversity.
"This is a way for all of our students to learn about different cultures and understand that it's fun to be different."
To prepare for the school-wide event, each grade level selected a country to sponsor, and spent time researching facts and figures about their country. Students then decorated the hallways and a classroom based on the country’s history and culture.
The students selected the following countries: Mexico (kindergarten), Italy (first grade), England (second grade), Japan (third grade), Norway (fourth grade), and the Philippines (fifth grade). Additionally, the fifth-grade chorus sang a variety of songs from multiple countries.
Throughout United Nations Day, students visited each country, learning the geographical location, language and historical facts, and experiencing music and sampling traditional foods. Students carried a passport book that was stamped at each location.
In Mexico, the kindergarten teachers arranged to have Mexican volunteers visit. The volunteers showed the students traditional Mexican clothing and the flag, and spoke in their native language and explained the English equivalent.
When students reached Japan, art teacher Sara Hill Hadden demonstrated Gyotuku, a Japanese technique of creating art prints with real fish.
Assistant Principal Renda Ajluni, who sponsors the Student Council, was excited when the students voted to host the event.
"United Nations Day gives all of our students the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the global community," she said. "It is also a way for them to understand the ways we are all alike, while learning to appreciate all of our differences."
Toby S. said he hopes that next year New Berlin will be able to expand the event from United Nations Day to United Nations Week, with students spending more time learning about more countries.
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