From Crystal: FJH International Fair
Fishers Junior High School believes in the notion that
our diversity is our greatest strength.
Cultural diversity has helped make America a more robust country; and
therefore, a more interesting place to live.
Our International Fair not only acknowledges our differences but also
help our students celebrate and embrace our differences.
Many years ago, what started out as basic information on
tri-folds being shared in the large group instruction room has, with hard work,
transformed into an amazing night of food, festivities, and fun that brings
together our students, our staff, and our community.
This year we celebrated more than 50 countries with food,
crafts, and performances. All 7th
graders are expected to participate, and they select the country of their
choice. Students are include fundamental
information in their projects, with many going above and beyond expectation. Some students presented videos using their
iPads, while others proudly wore their traditional native garb.
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Along with informational tri-folds, students were
encouraged to bring food from their countries, such as baklava, empanadas, rice
dishes, banana bread, biscotti, lemon cookies, and spring rolls. Our Spanish teacher also contacted high
school students who were former Chargers who painted our student's faces in
honor of the Mexican holiday, "The Day of the Dead." One art teacher, as well as other volunteers,
sketched henna tattoos (a form of decorative art from Northern Africa, South
Asia, and India) on our students’ hands.
Student artwork was displayed, and the science department had students
create displays of scientists from around the world acknowledging their
contributions to society.
The band and orchestra students displayed their talents
in the fair as students performed musical selections. The FJH Dance Company performed as well as
the African International Dance Company of Indianapolis. We had Bollywood student dancers, Samurai
sword demonstrations, and a parent from India played the Sitar. We’ve even had French mimes entertain our
guests. This year, we included
story-telling in our library with students reading about cultures from around
the world.
Our PTO participated in the fair by creating passports,
along with official stamps, for countries such as the United States, India,
Kenya, Mexico, China, Australia, Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, and
Italy. Craft stations were in each of
the rooms where students created maracas, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Kenyan
masks, coat of arms, and more. Videos
and music played in the background of those rooms and offered more information
on those countries. For the first time
this year, students submitted recipes for the FJH International Fair, and our
Triangle Club created a cookbook so others could recreate some of their
favorite International foods from the fair.
Our fair is a community event and everyone is
welcome. More importantly, it is very
comforting and encouraging to immigrant families and those new to the Fishers
community to see themselves represented in our schools. Every year we get
parents from all around the world with tears in their eyes, expressing their
gratitude and how much they appreciate this event.
Our goal at FJH is to let ALL of our students know they
are welcomed, they are appreciated, and they are valued. We look forward to next year as our
International Fair just keeps getting better and better!
Respond to Crystal at cthorpe@hse.k12.in.us
As Crystal says, diversity is our strength. Celebrate it today! Have a great week, HSE.
Your HSE Teaching and Learning Team
- Jan Combs, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
- Stephanie Loane, Director of Elementary Education
- Tom Bell, Director of Special Education
- Jeff Harrison, Director of Educational Technology
- Phil Lederach, Director of Secondary Education
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