Inaugural Cultural Kaleidoscope event at Frontier helps students become global citizens

SOUTH DEERFIELD — In a celebration of diversity, Frontier Regional School held its inaugural Cultural Kaleidoscope event last week, featuring a wide range of activities drawing on students’ and families’ backgrounds, all culminating in a potluck dinner.

“The goal of this event was to give students a chance to learn more about the beauty of other cultures, to help them become global citizens and have a little fun while doing so,” said Frontier Community Outreach Coordinator and event co-organizer Christine Wu. “The response was overwhelmingly positive; students left workshops eager to share what they learned with their friends. They were teaching each other Latin dance steps in the cafeteria and demonstrating tai chi moves in the hall.”

Alongside the tai chi and Latin dancing activities, students were able to participate in workshops focused on henna body art, French crepe cooking, Polish pierogi cooking, African dances and drumming, and Japanese origami, among others. The school day ended with a performance by percussionist Tony Vacca, who brought more than 50 students on stage to drum in unison.

Grants from the Conway, Deerfield and Whately cultural councils helped fund the April 25 celebration.

While this was the inaugural Cultural Kaleidoscope event, the school is planning on making it an annual celebration of the wide variety of cultures and backgrounds that make up Frontier. At least one school in the Union 38 District holds a similar event, as Sunderland Elementary School hosted its most recent International Night in January with a potluck meal, musical performances and the unveiling of a new mural inspired by students’ work.

“We hope to make this an event that every member of the community looks forward to and carries with them as unforgettable memories,” said world language teacher and event co-organizer Jodi Greenberg.