Santa Rita prides itself in the fact that it has children from many different cultures and languages in its community of students. It has the feel of a small International School as you walk in the hallways, and overhear parents’ conversations in multiple languages.
International Day at Santa Rita was created many years ago to encourage students to have pride in their own culture, and also to have respect and understanding for people of other cultures. On alternate years, there is a delicious, international potluck dinner, or presentations in classrooms by parents on the country of their heritage. On presentation morning, students travel with their “passports” through three countries. One country is based in each homeroom, making, currently, 21 presentations – it’s a very educational, lively morning!
Each International Day, the afternoon begins with sixth grade students carrying large flags on poles -flags representing their own personal heritage, or just a country to which they feel some attachment. With all of the flags fluttering in the breeze, the whole school sings the Heritage Song, written by Bill Vaananet. The words of the chorus include “....and I promise to remember each and every family member, for the people of my past belong to me.”
The afternoon progresses into a celebration of music and dance from several different cultures, reminding students of the importance of knowing who they are - that wonderful mix of cultures and heritages! The highlight for students at Santa Rita is being able to participate in any dance they wish - they might have a choice of Brazilian, Scottish, Tongan, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, American or Israeli. Blonde hair and dark hair sway elegantly to the rhythms of Tongan music, or wear Mexican costume while dancing to the rhythms of Latin American music. Students from many cultures, in jeans and bandanas, might dance to “Cotton -Eyed Joe” from Texas! The afternoon is traditionally brought full circle as all students are led in the dance “Bon-Odori” from Japan - a dance remembering our ancestors.
As a sixth grade student joyously commented, “I love how our school celebrates our International heritage. I’ve never been to a school which celebrates us like this!”