Grace Mancini-Rodriguez has been the president of the Roosevelt School Parent-Teacher Organization for a few years now, and she has been constantly trying to find ways to increase involvement in the PTO and encourage attendance at the regular meetings.
“Every month, we discuss ways how to get more people to come to the meetings,” Mancini-Rodriguez said. “But it’s not always easy.”
But the PTO decided to try something different, playing on the idea that the Roosevelt School family is comprised of people from many different cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
So they devised “A Taste of Roosevelt,” where parents and teachers were asked to bring in food dishes from their native lands. The event was held Wednesday night at the school’s auditorium.
More than 19 different countries were represented with food dishes – India, Germany, Norway, Jamaica, Cuba, Ireland, Colombia, Iran, Peru, Pakistan, Morocco, Ecuador, Mexico, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Italy and Puerto Rico.
“Some people even went as far as to dress in costumes from their countries,” Mancini-Rodriguez said. “They brought in music and decorated the auditorium with flags and posters. Every parent contributed in some way and worked together. The teachers also participated. Everyone was so supportive. I was very proud of the way that everyone worked together.”
Claudia McCurdy, who is a native of Colombia and is the mother of 10-year-old Roosevelt fifth grader Nicolas, was very impressed with the evening.
“The place was packed with people and there was so much food,” McCurdy said. “It was a wonderful night. The main object was to celebrate the multi-cultural diversity of the school, but it was amazing how everyone just came together.”
McCurdy said that she was not aware that there were so many backgrounds and cultures in one school.
“I didn’t realize there were so many people from so many countries,” McCurdy said. “For the parents, it was good to learn about the different countries and have the different foods. I got to meet people from the community that I never knew before, like another woman from Colombia. I made friends with her. We acknowledged our pride in our country and our heritage. That was great.”
McCurdy said that she was excited to be a part of the program, but she had no idea how big it would become.
“It really was a wonderful night,” McCurdy said. “There were a lot of people there who don’t normally come to the meetings. I think a lot of people might have felt intimidated in the past, but maybe they’ll come back now. I met so many people I didn’t know before.”
McCurdy credited Roosevelt School Principal Anthony LaBruno and the staff at the school, for their dedication in helping the event become a success.
Mancini-Rodriguez feels that maybe the event opened some doors.
“It was just beautiful,” Mancini-Rodriguez said. “The children were so proud to see all their parents there. It was great cooperation from everyone. I hope it continues.”