5-19-2024 5:52pm

First International Night Celebrated by Westwood's Martha Jones School

Darlene Cancell Editor

Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Schools. Martha Jones third-graders Olive Svitil (3rd grade) and Joanna Chiang (3rd grade) represent South Korea at the recent Martha Jones elementary school's International Night.

Thanks to Westwood Public Schools for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

Several hundred students, parents, and friends took part in the first-ever International Night Celebration put on by the Martha Jones Elementary School PTO on May 10.

Billed as a “Night to Explore the World,” the event featured student performances reflecting the culture of more than 20 countries, along with games and activities for visitors to enjoy. Organizers say they were “blown away” by the community’s response to the event.

“It was so heartwarming to see all the smiles, all the parents and grandparents embracing their own cultures and sharing everyone else’s cultures,” said Aamina Chowdry, a PTO member and co-chair of the committee that put on the event. “There was so much happiness in that room, it was unreal.”

The goal was to share with families what their students are learning about the world we live in, according to Westwood Public Schools’ Director of Equity, Integration, and Community Partnerships Lateefah Franck.

“This gave students and families the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate other cultures and for us to teach our community about the rich cultures that are represented in our schools,” she said.

Martha Jones students presented tri-fold displays they researched and created for their represented country, “transforming 24 tables into a vibrant expression of global cultures and traditions,” said Mary Jason, co-chair of the committee and a Martha Jones PTO member.

For food lovers, there was a diverse collection of sweet and savory tastes from each country—some plates were homemade; others were catered from restaurants in Westwood and the surrounding towns.

Performances included a Chinese Ribbon Melody performed by the Westwood Chinese School Dance Troupe; Bollywood dance, Irish step dance; classical Indian dance; and traditional Middle Eastern drumming on the derbakeh and tabel.

“It was inspiring to witness the diverse array of dances, songs, cuisines, and customs showcased throughout the evening. Each table was a testament to the beauty of cultural diversity and the power of inclusivity. Additionally, the enthusiasm and pride with which families shared their heritage were palpable, creating an atmosphere of celebration and appreciation,” said Martha Jones Principal Matt Kuklentz.

“The challenge was to make sure everyone felt included. Our message was that everybody was welcome. We wanted people to come and learn about the heritage and culture of each nation represented in our community,” said Jason, adding that the community’s 2025 International Night is already being planned.

“We know there are other families that want to be involved next year,” said Franck. “This is an event we want to hold districtwide.”

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Updated 5/26/2024. A name in the caption to the lead photo has been corrected to "Olive Svitil." Westwood Minute apologizes for the error.