Atlantic District News

Chapel School Celebrates The World!

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June 25, 2010 at 3:30 PM

       

The Chapel School in Bronxville hosted its 4th Annual Multi-Cultural Celebration which was the culmination of its ground-breaking 10-month multi-cultural studies program.  The hallways of the first and second floors gave the feel of a “Multi-Cultural Museum” covered with marvelous samples of student work from the five units of study, which include: Hispanic Heritage (Sept.-Oct.), American Indian Studies (Nov.-Dec.), African-American Studies (Jan.-Feb.), Asian Studies (Mar.-Apr.) and European Heritage (May-June).  The lunch room was a virtual global tour for the taste buds, where visitors could sample everything from sushi to flan to Jamaican Beef Patties to Scandanavian Riskreme (Rice Pudding with Strawberry dressing) and beyond.  The multi-purpose room served as the “Cultural Crafts Center”, where 8th Graders Michael Bouteneff and Medorie Petersen-Woodburn taught children and adults how to make Origami; and, Kindergarten parent volunteer Tahira Campbell helped visitors to create traditional African masks.  Finally, many gathered in the gymnasium for a “Cultural Dance Party”, featuring a special PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization)-sponsored presentation by The Redhawk Dancers, of the Redhawk Native American Arts Council (www.redhawkcouncil.org).  On-lookers were treated to various forms of traditional American Indian dance and then invited to join the fun.  “This is such a great event,” said Chapel Kindergarten Teacher and Event Chair, Michelle Tween.  “Every year it just seems to get better and better.  The food, the crafts, the music and dancing … all wonderful ways to show our appreciation for each other’s cultures and traditions and to celebrate the diversity that helps make our community so special.”

The Chapel School’s PTO treated the preschool through eighth graders to an “Around the World” story-telling program with singer, song-writer, actor Mr. Lou Del Bianco (www.findlou.com).  Mr. Del Bianco tailored each interactive program masterfully to match the needs and interests of each age group, always providing the right delicate blend of his unique style of humor so as to ensure that the children would remember the Russian Folk Tales, Greek Mythology, Mesopotamian Legends and other worldly stories he shared.  “This was great,” said PTO President Kathy Connor-Wareham.  “It was a perfect way to cap off last night’s event and the year-long program … celebrating the origins of familiar stories that are shared across many cultures.”

The Chapel School is located on 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville,  New York.  For more information about the Chapel School and its programs, please call 914-337-3202 or visit the website at www.thechapelschool.org.