Barry Elementary takes us on multicultural tour

Recently at Barry Elementary, you could have taken a quick tour around the world, in terms of seasonal celebrations.

It was the occasion of Barry’s “Multicultural Literacy Night,” organized by the school’s Parent Advisory Council and Barry staff.

Four corridors and Barry’s gym were set up to represent different cultures to celebrate their unique traditions. With the help of wonderful Cannon Air Force Base volunteers — from the 27th Special Operations Wing — the evening was a great success.

Included in the cultures celebrated were Japanese, Native American, Filipino, African American, Hispanic, and Polynesian.

Barry fifth-grade teacher Sara Williams described the events of the evening:

“The students and parents came into the school and were greeted by our wonderful airman volunteers. After visitors signed in, they were given a special, unique passport to go explore cultures.”

At each cultural center a volunteer read a story about the culture’s holiday celebrations and explained the significance. The visit ended with visitors being guided through an associated creative craft activity, facilitated by a teacher, or PAC parent, or CAFB volunteer.

At the end of the presentation each visitor received a stamp in his or her “passport.” Once the passport contained all the stamps from the cultures visited, they received a red ticket that could be redeemed for nachos, popcorn, or tacos.

Food was brought and donated for parents and students to enjoy.

Associated cultural artifacts were supplied by various individuals, and the cultural topics ranged from Japan’s famed Momotaro folk tale to the cultural heritage of New Mexico, including making headdresses and learning about why they’re so important.

The African American cultural center explained about Kwanzaa and its associated traditions.

The Hispanic cultural center taught visitors about “Three Kings Day,” which celebrates the Magi traveling from afar to see the baby Jesus.

Dining entertainment was provided by performances of Barry’s own corps of hula dancers, the Cannon Na Wahine.

It was a great evening, enjoyed by one and all. Learning about other cultures and traditions is beneficial because we’re then often prompted to examine our own, reflect on their value and consider why we hold them dear.

Better understanding of ourselves leads to more understanding of those different from us, which can usher in compassion.

Composer Gustav Mahler noted, “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”

Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the instructional technology coordinator for the Clovis Municipal Schools. She can be reached at: [email protected]