Students at Hudson School, a kindergarten through sixth grade school in Union City, were able to take some time off and relax in Disney Land before heading down to Louisiana for the Mardi Gras last week – without even leaving Union City.
On National Day, held on May 24, these students were able to visit and learn about many different states without leaving the school grounds.
“Sometimes I wish I could go somewhere else,” said fifth grade student Stephanie Pina, dressed for the Mardi Gras celebration in her classroom’s state of Louisiana. Last week, Pina and her classmates were able to receive hula lessons in Hawaii and take home a gold nugget from South Carolina.
During National Day, each classroom was decorated to represent a different state. The students had to research their state and post facts about it, like its population. They were asked to find out the state bird, the state flower, the state capitol and other facts about the state they represented.
They also ate food from different regions of the U.S.
“There was everything from Alaskan salmon and crab cakes to Kentucky fried chicken,” said Principal Silvia Abbato.
In Connecticut, the students gave out pouches filled with a square of Lever 2000 soap, which is made in the state. National Day took the place of international day, traditionally held each year in the school.
“Every year we do international day,” said Abbato, explaining that during international day each classroom picked a different country instead of a different state. “This year, because of everything that has happened, we decided to have a National Day.”
“This is a way to show our patriotism and our love for our country,” said kindergarten teacher Sandra Morsella, who coordinates all of the school’s functions.
Morsella said that the students had to perform Internet research as well as incorporate science and art into the preparation.
“We got to do a lot of fun stuff and arts and crafts,” said fourth grade student Adrian Herrera, who was dressed as an Eskimo.
“We got to go on the computer and look for information,” said fourth grade student Genesis Nadal enthusiastically.
Many of the teachers agreed that the students seemed to enjoy learning about other parts of the country, rather than choosing a different country to study.
“They seem to have gotten much more into it,” said Frances Messina, whose fourth grade classroom turned into Alaska for the day. “They really seemed to enjoy it.”
“Everything is different,” said fifth grade student Hector Rodriguez. “Even the food and the way they dress.”
“We learned to work together,” said fourth grader Gerald Rodriguez. The entire class worked together on most of the art work and maps that were drawn for the day. “You have to take your time and stick together.”
This was also a way to get the parents involved in a school activity. Many of the parents came to visit each classroom and some even brought in food. Parent Omar Nadal prepared the Alaskan salmon and crab cakes.