05.08.08
May spotlight on Asian heritage
DIVERSITY ON PARADE… Pupils of Cherrytree
Public School celebrating Education Week with the
explained the network’s internship program that
theme: We Welcome the World. The children’s
rendition of the popular Bollywood number Om
Shanti Om (above), arranged by their teacher Saroj.
Puri, stole the show. The celebrations also included
a Dragon dance from China, a Gidda/ Bollywood
Bhangra from India, Reflections of the Caribbean,
and an Egyptian Play. Greenbriar Senior Public
School also celebrated the diversity of Education
Week with flags of different countries being put on
the peace symbol by students. A poster of the
Canadian flag on which there were different religious
symbols was also displayed. The event, which was
organized and produced by Baljeet Ratra, together
with the education committee and the students, also
included Japanese, Irish, Hawaiian, Punjabi and
Bollywood dances, and slideshows displaying various
cultures, such as an African folklore and Chinese
culture.
The month of May is Asian Heritage month in Canada. The 411 Initiative for Change presented a multimedia and interactive group for the students to find out the vivacious Asian cultures that are with Canada. Asian Heritage events will determine issues of racism, integration and belonging from historical and contemporary perspectives.
… Spotlight on Asian Heritage is one of the many events that helps integrate heritage into everyday school life” says Jim Grieve, director of education.