A weeklong effort at Stanley Elementary School celebrating student diversity will go beyond race.
Children from different backgrounds will be the focus of Inclusive Schools Week, organized by parents and faculty to promote unity.
"Culture is not just where you are from but it's about your traditions, your beliefs and your values," said school adjustment counselor Priscilla Picardi.
Teachers in every classroom will focus their curriculum on what makes each child special.
Pranav Nagalamadaka, 11, said he hopes to teach others about Hindu
culture.
"We're going to make Venn Diagrams (which are made up of two or more overlapping circles). They're like diagrams that we can compare and contrast another (person's culture)," he said. "I'm planning to tell people about the history of my culture. "
Deanna Vasquez, 10, said she plans to discuss two cultures this week.
"I'm part Chilean and French-Canadian," Vasquez said she will, talk " about the foods they have and the clothing they have."
Andy Douangchith, 11, said he plans to bring keepsakes from Laos.
"I'm going to bring a necklace of the Buddha and I'm going to bring in money from Laos," he said. "I'm also going to bring a picture from when I was in Laos."
The week-long series of events was put together by the school's Inclusive Schools Team.
The organization was created at Stanley Elementary School two years ago, joining a national effort known as the Inclusive Schools Network. The network is a Web based resource that provides opportunities for people to network and gain knowledge of inclusive education.
The event also coincides with the national Inclusive Schools Week, now in its eighth year. Schools across the country celebrate diversity Dec. 1-5.
"I think this committee shows how much Stanley values diversity," said Principal Marcia Pertuz. "It's totally faculty driven and it's in it's second year. It's got people from every segment of our school."
The weeklong celebration kicked off yesterday with a puppet show put on by faculty and staff for fifth-graders.
The show included fourth-grade teacher Theba Fialowski playing the role of Renaldo, a blind student, while a handful of staff and faculty portrayed puppets of different cultures.
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com
