International Night celebrates cultural diversity within Decatur School District

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

DECATUR - Students and faculty of Northside Elementary treated family, friends and invited guests to a whirlwind tour of nations from around the world on Thursday.

International Night, held annually at Northside Elementary, provided a taste of cultures from Europe, Asia, Central and South America and points in between. Art, music, history and culinary treats told stories of life in the global community.

Students from pre-kindergarten through grade six used their talents to paint a colorful portrait of their prospective countries, including Germany, Italy, Mexico, France, China, Holland, Spain and Gibralter.

In addition to drawings and clip art, some classes built mock-ups of famous landmarks. The second grade classes built a five-foot-tall model of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Holland was the subject of the third grade classes. In amongst the third graders’ drawings of tulips and wooden shoes was a small wind mill, which stood as an icon of people of the Netherlands.

A concert capped off the event. Students of Kristen Wages' class began the program with a musical ensemble. They were followed by the pre-kindergarden class performing a dance from Guatemala.The first, second and third graders performed songs from Germany, France and Holland.

A choir, consisting of teachers and administrators of Northside Elementary and the Decatur school system, performed musical selections, including “Londonderry Air” (Danny Boy). Members of the choir included Larry Ben (superintendent of schools), Ginger Witty, Dawn Schoeller, Cara Piatkowski, Jackee Eaton, Susie Hendren, Lindsay Krueger and Debbie Wenger on the piano. Their combined voices brought a little slice of the British Isles to the event.

Ben on mandoline, and Willy Catron on guitar, played selections of folk music and ragtime from early American culture.

The evening was capped off by a video entitled “Cherokee Nation Dance.” The video was filmed during an earlier Northside Elementry assembly. A member of the Cherokee Nation talked about the history and meaning of the native dance. The film concluded with the students participating in a real Native American serpent dance.

Leslie Thompson, organizer of International Night, was pleased with the success of the event. According to Thompson, 539 registered guests from the community and surrounding area were in attendance - a record turnout.

Jeff Gravette, Northside Elementry School principal, conveyed his gratitude for the support the community showed for the students and teachers of Northside Elementary. He said he wished to thank everybody who attended International Night, making it a big success.

News, Pages 8 on 05/08/2013