CULTURAL DIVERSITY CELEBRATIONS

T R A N S I T I O N G R O U P / F O C U S : E , M , H

Overview

Cultural diversity celebrations promote inclusion, diversity, and equity throughout a school and student body.

Timeframe

Throughout the year

Outcomes

• Creates a culture of inclusiveness for all ethnic and cultural groups within a school • Celebrates diversity among the student body and staff • Builds strong relationships between students, staff, families, and school communities • Increases feelings of belonging and trust for staff, students, and families • Honors various cultures and their contributions to society • Fosters a positive school culture

Implementation

1. Create a core planning committee for each celebration. This committee should consist of the same staff members to ensure consistency across all events; however, the overall team may change from event to event to reflect the ethnicity/culture being celebrated. 2. Create a schoolwide calendar that will include tentative dates for all celebrations and events. The planning team should research observances, ethnic, cultural, and historical events that are relevant to the student population, school, community, or district. (e.g., Hispanic Heritage Month,

Women’s History Month, etc.). 3. Engage student leaders and families to collaborate with the core planning committee to assist in the planning of all celebrations, activities, and details. Recruit, identify, and invite volunteers from the community to partner with the planning committee to assist with specific events. 4. Engage key departments within the school to support certain activities as part of the celebration.

For example, consider how the art, dance, media, and/or English departments may be utilized in event planning and the day of the event. 5. Use the school and district communication plan to announce and promote all events. 6. Provide authentic learning opportunities at each event that can be transferred to the classroom.

This can be done through a collaborative list of writing tasks, class discussions, and/or projects.

Considerations and Tips for Success

• Research all activities and details that will be included in each celebration to ensure they are culturally sensitive and appropriate prior to hosting each celebration. • Reach out to family members to participate in celebrations as presenters, volunteers, and/or organizers. • To create community partnerships through this event, consider collaborating with local universities or community colleges and international student organizations. • Opportunities should be given for the planning teams, students, and others involved to receive feedback and to reflect on each event.

Considerations for Students from Select Populations (e.g., English learners, students with disabilities, transfer students, etc.)

• Ensure that students from select populations are given an opportunity to participate and/or perform in each celebration. • Provide translation services for any student and/or family if needed. • Provide a virtual viewing option, if available.

Considerations for Counselors

• These events could provide opportunities for counselors to identify and build support groups for subgroups in a school. • Create SEL experiences and/or lessons based on cultural events. • In collaboration with the school planning team, reflect each year on the events held to determine what needs to be modified for each celebration and event. • Collaborate with the planning team to identify culturally relevant locations for field trips that can be incorporated into certain celebrations, for example, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum http://mcrm.mdah.ms.gov/.

Resources

• Celebrating Your School's Cultural Diversity https://www.edutopia.org/blog/celebrating-your-schools-cultural-diversity-clare-roach • Family and Community Engagement https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/publications/critical-practices-for-antibiaseducation/family-and-community-engagement • Family and Community Involvement: Reaching Out to Diverse Populations https://sedl.org/pubs/family29/2.html • The Official Mississippi Tour Guide Website https://www.mississippitourguide.com/ • Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience https://www.msarts.org/ • Delta Blues Museum https://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/