I had the privilege of experiencing International Week at ASD for the first time these last few days. I knew this week was a big deal after hearing so much about it from the kids and teachers, but I had no idea how crazy it was all going to get! International week include many events: opening/closing ceremonies, music presentations, artwork, an international buffet, dress up days and much more! Since ASD didn't think that was quite enough for us to handle, they decided to throw in some more good times such as: report card deadlines, hosting military guests (more on that later), maturation talks for the 5th graders (ohhhh don't get me started), and special guest to present to us on writer's workshop. And did I mention this is all in the week before our November Eid break? Cuz it is! No joke...I should post a picture of my planner for this week. Let's just say, it's pretty stinkin colorful & not much teaching happened.
The opening ceremony was an awesome experience. The HS gym was packed to the brim with every student attending ASD from pre-K up through 12th grade, and of course all the staff memebers. Once we all got settled in (it took a while, but I was impressed with the effienciency of the system), the speakers began to present and the choir/band performed a song. After that, the Parade of Flag began and this was the high point of the entire program. During the Parade of Flags, two students carry their country's flag down the center aisle of the gym. The two students are the oldest and youngest students representing that particular country at ASD...this ended up making for some fun combinations. Sometimes it was a preschooler with a HS school kid, a middle school student with a 1st grader, or my favorite, a 2nd grader and a kid in kindergarten...my principal's kids since they were the only students at ASD from Paraguay :) They were all in native dress and after their country was announced, a slide for that country was put up on the projector with a fact about it. 72 countries in all! The annoucer would read it to all of us while the students carried the flag and the rest of the student body cheered. It was really fun watching how excited every student got about not just their own country, but of each other's countries as well. The most touch moments came when the last two flags were carried down: first the USA flag and then the flag of Qatar. I can't put into words all the emotion of that moment, but you can get a great sense of it by watching the video! I've posted the link to my facebook too, but I'll try to put it here also. The first student carrying the Argentinian flag is from my class...her little brother was too shy to carry it with her :) http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/10696758 It's kind of long, but you can also skip to the end if you'd like.
I will be posting pictures soon. The rest of the week was crazy with hat day and international dress day. I had a naval officer in my room as a guest on Sunday and they so appreciate being able to get off base, come in their civilan clothes, and hang out with our kids. My students loved asking him tons of questions and being able to show him everything they're learning. Later on in the week we had the internatinal buffet. Parents from pre-k to 12 brought in food native to their countries. These foods are presented in one of the largest buffet tables I've ever seen...and I've lived in VEGAS. The tables took up the entire space in the HS gym and were arranged by continents! Crazy fun and crazy good! My plate was slightly loaded. I had some of the best cheesy potatoes and apple crisp I've had in a while...as well as some other food that I'm sorry I just can't pronounce :)
Closing ceremonies ended the week with a guest speaker from the high school and musical performances from the elementary, middle and high school. Our director ended the day with a fantastic speech and for the last 30 minutes of class, my students and I reflected a lot on the week and they had some great things to say about what they learned. At the end of the discussion I asked them to promise me one thing: that they will never take for granted the privilege of attenting a school like ASD where they can experience weeks like this one. I have 21 students in my class, representing 17 different countries...I told my kids to cherish that and never forget how amazing it all is. I feel so blessed to have this job and teach these incredible children!
