Winter 2024

We hope you can join us for this popular family event that focuses on sharing, learning, and growing more culturally competent as a community. Families are invited to view and interact with cultural displays as well as try sample-sized portions of delicious food from around the globe provided by Noah Wallace families. 

All Noah Wallace families are welcome to attend and participate! We are looking for families that would like to provide food to share or bring in cultural items. Please consider sharing your traditions with our community! Please sign up by Tuesday, April 16th. To learn more and RSVP please visit: nwpto.org/taste

In a delightful collaboration, families from KID Clubs across all four elementary schools joined together on Friday, February 23, 2024 at IAR for an enchanting evening of theater. The event welcomed close to 100 attendees for a special performance of “Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical” by Playhouse on Park.

With a simple set and vibrant costumes, “Polkadots” tells the heartwarming story of Lily Polkadot, a spirited young girl navigating the challenges of a world where differences are not always celebrated. Lily and her family are the first “polkadots” in a town of “squares,” as depicted by the characters’ costumes and make-up. Lily encounters obstacles that draw striking parallels to the historical reality of racial segregation. An astute student in the audience noted the resemblance of Lily’s story to that of Ruby Bridges in 1954. Ruby was the first black student in an all-white school, while Lily was the first “polkadot.”

Following the song-filled performance, families had the opportunity to engage in a talkback session with the talented actors and reflect on some of the ways the musical explored its themes. This wonderful exchange was facilitated by Farmington’s Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, Natalie Simpson, and Family Engagement Facilitator, Kristen Wilder.

The musical served as a celebration of the human spirit and a reminder of the importance of embracing our differences. The event was a shining example of the enriching opportunities provided by KID Clubs and the IDEA+ committee, and a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and art to inspire change.

Swathi, a student in Ms. Sedgwick’s fourth grade, celebrates Onam with her family.  The festival of Onam is celebrated in Kerala, in south India, and Malayalam speaking people all over the world celebrate it. The celebration comes after the middle of August and before the middle of September. This period is known as the month of Chingam in Kerala. It starts with the star of Atham and lasts for 10 days; the star of Thiruvonam being the tenth day.

People of Kerala believe in a myth about a great emperor Maveli (Mahabali) who is said to have ruled over Kerala once. He was a popular king and the people had no suffering during his rule. He is thought to visit Kerala to meet his people on the day of Thiruvonam. On these ten days, the courtyards of the houses are adorned with floral images. It is a period of feasts, sports and other entertainments. 

Here is Swathi and her family with their flower carpet.

Martin Luther King Jr Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of January each year, close to King’s birthday on January 15th. It commemorates the life of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, the primary spokesperson for nonviolent activism during the Civil Rights Movement. King was a minister, writer, and one of the most important advocates for equal rights for Black people during the 1950s and 60s. MLK Day was proposed as a federal holiday just four days after King’s assassination in 1968; however, it took 15 years to become federal law in 1983.

Each year (since 1887!) on February 2nd people gather in western Pennsylvania to see if a famous groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow when he emerges from his den. The tradition derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its den and sees its shadow on this day, winter will go on for six more weeks. However, if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early! This year an early spring was predicted; we will have to wait and see if Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction is accurate!!

Lunar New Year festivals are held throughout Asia to celebrate the start of the lunar calendar. Because the celebration is based on the cycles of the moon, the starting date is not the same each year, but it always begins in late January or early February. The 15-day celebration begins with the new moon and lasts until the full moon. Prior to the start of the holiday, some households clean up to make room for good luck in the coming year. Communities celebrate the new year in a variety of ways, from setting fireworks and hosting parades and parties, to feasting with family and friends. 

Have you ever wondered why we give cards and small gifts to loved ones each Valentine’s Day? There are several theories as to how Valentine’s Day evolved. It likely developed from an ancient festival to bring new couples together that took place in ancient Rome each February. The holiday later got its name from a Roman Catholic priest named Valentine who is believed to have helped couples secretly get married. 

Purim is a Jewish holiday that is also sometimes called the Feast of Lots. It commemorates the story of the Persian Queen Esther who is believed to have convinced her husband, the king, to prevent a plot to kill the Jewish people of Persia (now Iran). The story of Purim is relayed in the Hebrew Bible, also sometimes known by Christians as the Old Testament. On Purim, Jewish families celebrate in a variety of ways. They may attend synagogue, read the Purim story, and eat special food like hamantaschen (pictured here) with family and friends.

Holi is a spring festival celebrated throughout India, especially by people who practice Hinduism. The holiday marks the beginning of spring and offers people an opportunity to start fresh. It also represents the triumph of good over evil and is considered a day of unity. To celebrate, people throw colored water and powders on one another, and, for this reason, Holi is also called the Festival of Colors. Each color represents something important, like love or new beginnings. Often, after the color festivities, friends and families gather to eat together and exchange gifts. 

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the New Testament story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead around 33CE. Jesus was the founder of the religion of Christianity, so Easter is considered one of the holiest days of the year by Christians. On Easter, many Christians attend special church services and participate in various folk customs associated with Easter, like coloring and hiding eggs. According to some traditions, the Easter Bunny also leaves eggs and candy for children on Easter morning. 

The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During Ramadan, many Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn to dusk, so Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of a month of fasting and means “Festival of Fast-Breaking” in Arabic. Festivities can last between one and three days and involve things like attending mosque services, feasting on special foods with family and friends, doing charitable acts, and decorating homes with lanterns.