It’s not every day that one can travel the world and still make it home in time for dinner. The more than 150 parents and other members of the community that visited Hudson School in Union City on March 23 were able to visit 26 different nations that represented six continents in the school’s International Celebration, which virtually transformed each of the classrooms into a different country.
“The students learn about the culture of other countries and also the history,” said Principal Sylvia Abbato. “This way is more exciting than learning it in a history book.”
The students then learned about a country’s history and culture by decorating the classroom to make it look like the country, eating the country’s native foods and wearing clothes typical of the country’s natives.
“My son had to bring in empty pasta boxes to make it look like real Italy,” said Arlene Powers, a parent who also volunteers much of her time to the school.
The celebration was part of the Whole School Reform Initiative that works on integrating parents and the community into the city’s schools.
“The parents really got involved,” said Abbato, pointing to some of the authentic woodcarvings and costumes in each of the classrooms. “A lot of parents brought in objects from their countries.”
Visiting the world
“I need to see your passport,” said student Joshua J. Colon to the parents and other visitors who entered the fifth grade classroom that was representing Cuba.
Each of the school’s visitors was given a passport when they entered the building that told them which classrooms represented each country.
“Bon Giorno,” said all of the kindergarten students in Italy to their visitors.
“The students also learn some phrases in their country’s language,” said Abbato.
Another kindergarten class wowed their visitors by counting to 20 in French.
Parents were also able to eat different food from the countries represented and learn popular dances.
While many have already eaten Chinese food, the fifth-grade students in China had to learn how to eat their food with chopsticks.
“We got to learn how to eat with chopsticks,” said fifth grade student Stephanie Estrella, whose classroom represented China. “It was hard with the rice.”
“We had to use chopsticks at home for one week,” said another student, Crystal Rivera.