Cultural Arts Week
“Welcome to Puerto Rico,” my teacher greeted me as I walk through the doors of the Puerto Rican Market. This is an event that has been planned since last year, and is now in progress. As excited students buzz around Puerto Rico, I am pleased with the sights I am seeing.
Every year, my school puts on a program called Cultural Arts Week. During this thrilling week in April, we learn about a different country. Over the years we have explored China, Kenya, Bolivia, Cambodia, and many more. This year, we had the opportunity of learning about Puerto Rico. Though Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, I was surprised on how different it is from the United States.
“It is very important for the students to be exposed to other societies so when they grow up, they will have a little background to different cultures”, said Pomfret Community School Principle Mrs. Dion.
Through the course of the week, students learn about the country's way of life inside and out. They taste the food they eat, play the games they play, and learn a lot about their history. One food students founded they liked was plantains, a very delicious snack eaten in Puerto Rico.
“Before Cultural Arts week, I never even knew about Plantain, and now it’s my favorite food!” Isabelle D., a seventh grader at Pomfret Community School, stated.
Every day during Cultural Arts week is an adventure. During classes we have docents, volunteered parents, teachers, or even college professors. During their lessons students experience the life of Puerto Rican kids.
“I never knew we had so much in common with people from different countries”, fourth grader Sam A. declared.
But a very special part of Cultural Arts Week is the market.
“Ever since Kindergarten, the marketplace has always been my favorite”, eighth grader Natalie B. asserted.
The market place is a replica of what a market place in Puerto Rico may look like. In the marketplace, you are able to taste delectable food, make colorful crafts, and enter fun prizes quizzing you on what you learned during the week.
All in all, Cultural Arts Week is a great way for kids to relate to others in different countries.
“Though Cultural Arts Week is only a week long, it’s an experience no one ever forgets."
Photo: One of the many objects used to teach students about Puerto Rico during Cultural Arts Week. (Courtesy Wanjiku Gatheru)
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