World Language Unites Brewster Middle School

CW from Above: Chinese exchange teacher Zhao Mingxia explains the meaning of a dragon to interested students • Michelle Valdez and Veroly Diaz practice a native Dominican dance during the festival. • Deborah Velazquez and student Ariana Pagnotta fill a table with Italian delicacies during the fair. • Kate Andres is dressed for the occasion as she practices Chinese self defense • Brewster Middle School students demonstrate their hand-made masks during a “visit” to Mardi Gras. Photos by ERIC GROSS. Talk about an international melting pot!

World Language Day was celebrated at the Henry Wells Middle School in Brewster, when students learned about other countries and cultures through song, dance, food, and lectures provided by visitors from many of the countries studied.

During the day-long activity students “visited” Italy, France, Spain, Argentina, China, Guatemala, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic—an experience that allowed them to better understand the individual cultures and customs.

Teacher Deborah Velazquez, a resident of Garrison, who spearheaded the event, explained that prior to the “around the globe” adventure, students applied for a passport from their country of origin— their language class: “Passports were issued that included identification photos. During the adventure the children used their passports to be admitted into the desired countrym where documents were stamped by ‘border patrol’ agents at each exhibit.”

Activities included bocce and tom bola from Italy, Mardi Gras and Carnevale mask-making in France, paper flower creativity from Uruguay, calligraphy and lantern making in China, lassoing and coin tossing rodeo fun in Argentina, and dancing in the Dominican Republic.

Traditional foods were prepared from each country and students devoured the dishes with glee.

Estella Cirimello, an exchange teacher from Uruguay, discussed her country’s customs with interested students, as did Zhao Mingxia, an exchange teacher from China who is spending the year in Brewster.