Anonymous wrote:I think it's good when schools and communities highlight the various heritages and histories. Kids and the school community get an opportunity to learn about different cultures, history, traditions, etc.

It would be difficult to recognize them all every year with an activity or event, but making effort to recognize the major ones present in school would likely go a long way. And you could highlight others as you become aware of them within the community or on a rotating basis.

Actually, this is off putting. The major ones are already very visible and kids coming from smaller groups can feel alienated. The major groups also typically have a much easier time connecting within the broader community.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how there is never a French heritage celebration or anything european.

Many elementary schools’ PTSAs organize international nights and you are welcome to volunteer if your school does have ones.

If schools already organize International night, why then do heritage months?

Anonymous wrote:Funny how there is never a French heritage celebration or anything european.

If about Africa, that would maybe fall under black history month, not sure.

Anonymous wrote:Funny how there is never a French heritage celebration or anything european.

Many elementary schools’ PTSAs organize international nights and you are welcome to volunteer if your school does have ones.

Funny how there is never a French heritage celebration or anything european.

Anonymous wrote:My kid loves diversity but doesn't like heritage celebrations. DC feels they celebrate big groups at the expense of smaller ethnicities.

So true.

I think it's a great way to engage local communities and shows that the school really does care about their contributions. This can translate later to volunteering, whether it's in conjunction with the PTA or just lone wolfing it.

At my kid’s school, they do special projects, research someone, then write it up and present it. He’s learned a lot about different people. I think it’s great.

I think it's good when schools and communities highlight the various heritages and histories. Kids and the school community get an opportunity to learn about different cultures, history, traditions, etc.

It would be difficult to recognize them all every year with an activity or event, but making effort to recognize the major ones present in school would likely go a long way. And you could highlight others as you become aware of them within the community or on a rotating basis.

They like that they are at a school with people of all races and various ethnicities. They went to 99% white school previously and this is exciting for them.

Anonymous wrote:My kid loves diversity but doesn't like heritage celebrations. DC feels they celebrate big groups at the expense of smaller ethnicities.

What does that even mean?

My kid loves diversity but doesn't like heritage celebrations. DC feels they celebrate big groups at the expense of smaller ethnicities.

Anonymous wrote:Easier to do this than actually teach our kids Math / Science / English.

The school system gets to highlight how it celebrates diversity and that draws attention away from our abysmal proficiency rates.

It's a win-win for everyone involved.

+1. So much emphasis on "diversity." We are ALL diverse and we all or our ancestors came from some other land. Why not read about Cesar Chavez which they do but is it necessary to spend a whole month discussing his and his movement's contributions, or have students do a biography on a notable African American to present to the school etc..?

Easier to do this than actually teach our kids Math / Science / English.

The school system gets to highlight how it celebrates diversity and that draws attention away from our abysmal proficiency rates.

It's a win-win for everyone involved.

What do you think of schools celebrating or highlighting the various heritages and histories? There's Hispanic heritage month, black history, women's history, asian-american/pacific islander and probably other ones. Do your kids come home and share what they learned, do they participate in the activities school may organize, do you think schools should be planning these educational or cultural activites? Or is mentioning different heritages throughout the school year in class/readings sufficient? Please, no racist remarks this is not the place.