International+Celebrations

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 * // Activities are planned and implemented for the school community to promote global awareness and appreciation. //**
 * // Conversation: What are the goals/priorities? What can we share? //**
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Many of the Sacred Heart schools that were in this sessions already had some type of International Celebration.

__St. Louis__ -International Peace Day -International Children Art Exchange -Chinesse New Year clebrated by the second graders __Houston/Chicago__ -International Celebrations were the whole school (students and parents) are invovled -costumes -food -families set up boothes -children make passports __New Orleans__ -Imigration study were students study their own culture and then simulate what it was like to go through Ellis Island

__Woodland Academy__ -Create a diversity calendar where different classes informthe rest of the school about that group through morning announcements, posters and other activities -Cultural Oddessy is were the students are the teachers of their own culture. They host classes for students and teachers to learn some aspect of their culture. For example origami, Irish dance and cooking classes. They finish with an all school assembly were they might have an international fashion show. -Fundraisers with a international theme. -Helping when natural disasters happen

Many of the schools celebrate the different cultures within their school during a special mass. Flags from the different countries are used in the interence of the mass that represent the different culture of their students and staff. Then the flags are kept in the chapel all year.

Many schools what to do more celebrations but feel that there is not a strong sense on how to do it well.

We would like to be able to connect with our international schools through the network as a resource for more international study. Many schools face some trouble connecting with them. Would like to see a database through "Sofie" were school could exchange ideas or connect with one another.

Would like to help parent understand the importance of the celebration and have them involved in an active role

Each year, the association (“AILA”) sponsors an essay contest for 5th grade students. The contest is to support the American Immigration Council, a non-profit organization that seeks to strengthen America by honoring our immigrant history and shaping how Americans think and act towards immigration now and in the future. AILA asks 5th graders from across the country to submit essays on the theme “Why I Am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants.” (2011) The essays can be any format – poem, essay, story, play, etc. – so long as they are under 500 words. The prizes include recognition locally for the top winners as well as a statewide and nation-wide contest where the winner reads his/her essay at the AILA national convention next year in San Diego. http://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/events/writing_contest
 * // Here is the information that I have on the 5th Grade writing Contest. //**