We have a small independent nonreligious school preschool through 6th. The last day before the christmas break we have our Ethnic Feast, where families come to school in the morning and bring a food dish from their ethnic background and each classroom has a late morning lunch with the families, and then dismissal is right after lunch. It is a great event. We have a lot of Chinese, Indian and South American families, so have some great food. It is a great way of celebrating the diversity of our school.

I was an army brat growing up so we moved all the time and were around a lot of different cultures. Anyhow, I remember (being a heinz 57 American) I had to come up with a board that reflected my ancestors. Well being that most of the people in the class were of Mexican decent, they could pin point their history much easier. Well I myself am Native American, French Canadian, English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish. So I was a little confused. I ended up with this huge board and my mom helped me make a traditional snack for each culture. I was kind of cool most of my schoolmates found my board very interested where as I was fascinated with their background.

Anyhow, long story short it became a tradition in that school to have a open culture night. Where as many cultures as possible were brought out, food was served, festive clothing worn and people mingled. They charged at the time $2 a person and the turn out was fabulous.

C. Brooks, Venezuela is ripe with interesting things...she could share with the children Pabellon or Arepas (the first is the local specialty and the second is served with almost every meal), Virgen of the Valley Celebration (the event where all the boats decorate themselves with flowers and bless all the fishing sites), the Joropo (native dance done in colorful costumes) and so on. An International day with various cultures sharing is a great way for children to learn. Here in Venezuela, our school has children from the US, Canada, Scotland, Italy, Venz, Argentina, Honduras, Egypt, Panama, Japan, China, Ecuador, Spain, Trinidad and Columbia...and we only have about 150 students. Talk about diversity. Our International Food Festival is to die for! We're also in the process of putting together a cookbook and every recipe is being translated in Spanish. Another way of including those who don't speak English! So there are many ways to incorporate other Ethnic groups! :cool:

We are not diverse. Really, not. We do however have a parent that is from Venezuela. She comes in and does "Spanish" with a couple of classrooms. I am hoping she will do more. I think it would be great for your growing ethnic group to have some kind of culture sharing, maybe at a Family night or something.

When I was in 2nd grade we had a program, I guess during the holidays, and we got to dress as people from other cultures. I was a Native American, and I remember 2 girls singing a Mexican song, it was cute but it would have been better if we had of had real Native Americans and real Latinos.

I wish we had more programs that explored culture diversity because more than likely our kids will eventually encounter this.

Another thing I'd like to touch on, I've led a sheltered life. Never met a Jewish person, there are several other religions and ethnic groups I know so little about, but when my kids see these backgrounds addressed on t.v. they ask me 1,000 questions I can't begin to answer that I'd like to know myself. I am sure your parents are faced with this but the answers are right in front of them. I hope you come up with something, I think a program of some kind could benefit everyone. Good luck.

First, let's assess what you have done, and then you can look at where you need to go.

What kind of welcome letter does your group put out to new families in your school? The school? The district?

Do you have it translated when necessary?

How have you sought new families' input into your programs and activities?

Have you asked for suggestions on multicultural activities, or do you plan on arranging the activity and then asking for multicultural help?

What other programs are offered in your school/district to cross the cultural divide and how can your group participate in or team up with those programs?

Sometimes it can be as simple as sending a card saying "welcome to the school" (try to avoid using the words "our school"; though you probably take ownership and great pride in your school, you may create a feeling among some that they are outsiders and have to earn their way in to the "inner circle".)

Sometimes it isn't as simple as that. Some people are not very trusting of first efforts; they may think, based on past experiences, it is simply a hollow gesture of acknowledgement that will prove fruitless and empty and they will continue to be ignored.

Some cultures are very private and while you may never see them at a meeting, they are very involved in their children's educations. That doesn't mean you should stop trying to reach them with information and to seek their input.

Some people can actually be offended by the fact that their input is only sought during particular events or holidays, and end up feeling ignored the rest of the year. On the flip side, some folks are thrilled to share their heritage and the meaning of some of their celebrations. None-the-less, several efforts to contact and include your multicultural families in other activities should precede requests for their assistance in activities based on their own culture.

Not really knowing much about which culture in which you have experienced an influx, I can only say that you should consider the possibility of a translator and literature on family involvement in their native language (even though we are encouraging them to learn English with their children). Evening English classes can often be arranged if they are not offered elsewhere in your district. Consider checking out other local agencies to see what they are doing and how your group can team up with them.

The point is: figure out what is already being done to avoid duplicating efforts, then figure out what is not being done and devise a strategy and build a team that is reflective of your community (parents, businesses, teachers, clergy, etc.) to coordinate and implement plans based on your assessments.

It sounds much more difficult than it really is. Basically, it comes down to making a few phone calls, writing a few letters, and arranging a couple of special meetings. It sounds like something that should be incorporated into your school improvement plan or district plan; check it out and ask how you can help.

What a great way to incorporate different cultures. Whether they're Italian and could speak on Columbus Day, or Mexican and could help explain Cinco de Mayo, or Africans who could explain Kwanzaa. Find out what the next celebration of their heritage is coming up and ask them to get involved.