Students Celebrate International Influences at Stoddert Elementary

The courtyard at Stoddert Elementary was a flurry of activity Thursday morning as students buzzed from one international-themed booth to another with their "passports." Each classroom chose a country to teach their fellow students about with a display. The students travelled around the world, visiting one themed presentation at a time and getting stamps on their special passports for the occasion.

Stoddert students represent 31 different nationalities thanks to the many embassies nearby. For about one third of the school, English is a second language. The school's annual International Day celebrates the diversity of its student body.

This year's event was put together in just about three weeks, but Bonnie Moisan, an ELL teacher at the school and one of the day's organizers, said usually they begin much earlier. Between the move to the new building and the testing the students did this year, time just slipped away. Even with the quick turn around the day was packed with activities.

The morning began with the school's principal, Dr. Cuthbert, playing a selection of songs on a piano. Each song stood for a country or region: Norway, Japan, Italy, "Arabia", Ireland, Russia, Australia and, of course, America.

"It was good to be part of it," said Dr. Cuthbert.

The morning included performances from outside artists as well as student-lead songs and a fashion show.

For the outdoor part of the morning, classes chose, when possible, a country that represented one of their classmates. The posters and props shouted the name of countries like France, Azerbaijan, Lithuania and Ireland and included props, music and food.

The France stand had a giant cardboard Eiffel Tower, donated by the French Embassy.

Azerbaijan got a little help from Farah Aslanova whose son Mamed Israfilov is in fourth grade at Stoddert. Aslanova prepared halva for the students to try, it is a sweet paste made of flour, sugar, saffron, honey syrup and water.

Ireland had its requisite green, white and orange, as well as the Bog Band playing traditional tunes for students to enjoy.

Lithuania supposedly had a magnificent cake early in the morning, but it had long been devoured before Patch could snap a photo.

Ana Frum, a fourth grader, wore a shirt that had "Guatemala" written across it, though her class chose Lithuania for its country. She explained that one of her classmates is from Lithuania and that she was born in Guatemala and adopted by Americans.

Aroha Millar had a funky green design drawn on her chin. Though her fifth class chose Finland a nod to one of her classmates, Millar was born in New Zealand. She said her mom had suggested she have the traditional face design so she could be part of the morning parade of flags. 

Paige Gardner, also in fifth grade, said she had learned a lot about Finland. As part of the embassy adoption program, her class had learned about the country from embassy officials and recently visited the embassy. She said the country was cool because their embassy is "all green," referring to its sustainable design and maintenance. 

Another fourth grade student, Ryan Lewis, said the two things that stuck out to him about Lithuania were that "basketball is their main sport" and that they have "a lady president." Lewis and Frum excitedly discuss how good the basketball team in Lithuania is, saying they though the U.S.A. would lose to them in a match up.

Hiam Muhawi, an ELL teacher at Stoddert and one of the event's organizers, said involving parents is "very important in educating students." Several parents were there to help with the booths and many more would arrive in the evening for the potluck dinner.