Multicultural Fair at Diggs-Latham Elementary

This comes to us from Amanda Gordon, art teacher and A+ Coordinator at Diggs-Latham Elementary School:

On Thursday, April 26, we held our annual Multicultural Fair. The Fair was organized by ESL Teacher, Abadesa Ochoa, School Teacher of the Year 2016-2017, assisted by Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Lisa O'Brien and a small committee of teachers.

Mrs. Ochoa, who also served as the M.C. for the event said: "I have a deep passion to bring children and families, from all continents of the world, together." 

This event is also one of our largest parental involvement events of the year. Our PTA President as well as our Parent Involvement Group organized the set up and decorating for the event. Parents and families set up tables, displayed clothing, shared artifacts and displayed flags from the country of their origin.  They planned and organized games, cooked and provided food, organized additional volunteers from their family and community, and dressed many of their children in costumes and traditional clothing reflective of their country and culture of origin. 

Within our student body and staff, we have around 21 countries represented. Throughout the evening of the Multicultural Fair, students traveled around to the different countries and received stamps on their passports after playing the game, learning a new fact and completing the activity at each country's display. 

Guests were able to purchase traditional Mexican, Syrian, African, Spanish and other food.  Students, parents, and other guests danced, drew henna tattoos and played games reflective of all the countries.  The evening ended with the breaking of a Pinata and a Dance of Flags as several teachers presented the colors of the countries and danced with flags of the countries as props.

Here are some quotes connected to the event:

Megan True, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher and 2018 Teacher of the Year: "Incredible school. Incredible families. Incredible diversity. We are Diggs-Latham!"

Kindergarten Teacher Cymbre Cooke: "Hats off to one of the best events I’ve been to at Diggs-Latham!! So much music and dancing. So many kind families sharing pieces of their cultures with us. And so. much. DELICIOUS. food!!"

Principal Ted Burcaw: "A truly joyful, inspiring celebration of the Diggs-Latham community at tonight’s Multicultural Fair. Mrs. Ochoa brought out the true heart of our family, we celebrated as ONE."

Amanda Gordon: "I enjoyed photographing the Multicultural Fair. So many events were going on from displays, presentations, dances, games, and more that it was a challenge to capture it all."

On Twitter, David Sisk, Title III Program Manager: "Awesome multicultural fair at DLES. Big Turnout. Great Food. Great vibe."

On Twitter, Rebecca Olsen, SIOP Coach: The Multicultural Fair had great parent participation, and the food was delicious."