Parents & Caregivers share their culture in the classrooms

Allicia Waukau-Butler reads to a Grade 3 class

Allicia Waukau-Butler reads to a Grade 3 class

Allicia Waukau-Butler reads to a Grade 3 class

Allicia Waukau-Butler reads to a Grade 3 class

Grade 2 class participates in "We Are Water Protectors"

Grade 2 class participates in "We Are Water Protectors"

Grade 2 class participates in "We Are Water Protectors"

Grade 2 class participates in "We Are Water Protectors"

Grade 3 students work on their watercolor paintings

Grade 3 students work on their watercolor paintings

Grade 3 students work on their watercolor paintings

Grade 3 students work on their watercolor paintings

Japanese Drumming and a Hachimaki headband

Japanese Drumming and a Hachimaki headband

Japanese Drumming and a Hachimaki headband

Japanese Drumming and a Hachimaki headband

Japanese Drumming Demonstration

Japanese Drumming Demonstration

Japanese Drumming Demonstration

Japanese Drumming Demonstration

PTO encourages parents and caregivers to share their cultural heritage with our classrooms

Students will experience what the parents and caregivers bring, and then they can share with other students what they learned.

Our first effort to celebrate the diversity of our community was led by Allicia Waukau-Butler, who led grades 2 and 3 in a book reading of "We are Water Protectors," followed by a watercolor painting activity. It was timed for Native American Heritage Month in November.

On May 11, Megan Smith and their family shared Japanese drumming with 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in the school gym. They recounted a personal story about how, in a search for their identity and place in the world, they discovered traditional Japanese drumming. It led to a performing career in Japan that took them around the world until arriving here in Minnesota.