DECATUR — Walking down the halls of Decatur’s Northside Elementary is a little like a tour of the world this week.
One can stroll through tropical jungles with birds flying overhead, or make a visit to Africa and Spain, during the school’s bi-annual international week, which will culminate with an International Fair for parents and community members, planned for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., May 5.
Students are studying about the world as they decorate the halls to represent countries from Papua New Guinea to Italy. Classroom ambassadors prepare to give visitors presentations about each country. They are also celebrating the week with special dress up days and an assembly at the end of the week.
Parents and community members are invited to tour the booths and classroom displays, or sample foods from different cultures, on Thursday. Students will get a chance to fill their passport with stamps from each country they visit. And if they fill their passport, they will win a special prize.
The evening will also feature live entertainment, including dances of the Mexican and Hmong cultures, music by the school band and choir, and Blue Grass music by superintendent Larry Ben.
One example of the entertainment is a group from Siloam Springs that will be performing a comical “Daze de Los Viejitos” or “Dance of the Old Men,” according to migrant education coordinator Clara Smith.
Students will also be presenting traditional Aztec and Traje Regioinal Hausteco - the southern region of Mexico - dance costumes, she said.
For more information, call the school office at 752-3981.
News, Pages 7 on 05/04/2011