At NIS, the importance of embracing multiculturalism isn't just recognized— it's celebrated.
Diversity, Multiculturalism, and Cultural Competencies…these are words that are used a lot here at NIS. But these concepts are not taken lightly. Research abounds with evidence of the many benefits of a multicultural learning environment: heightened critical thinking, enhanced empathy, broader perspectives fostering peace, and a fertile ground for innovation. Yet, at NIS, these aren't merely statistics or academic theories. They are guiding principles woven into the very fabric of our educational experience.
NIS is a melting pot of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. Our student body and faculty hail from every corner of the globe, enriching our community with a mosaic of backgrounds and traditions. This gives us many opportunities not only to teach but to celebrate the differences and similarities of the various cultures represented within our walls. The school wants to encourage all members of our community to join and not only participate but also lead in the organization and planning of activities or celebrations to enrich our shared experiences.
Looking back through the last academic year, you can see how this important school characteristic played out through the dedication of our faculty, families, and students as they shared the pride of their countries and cultures with the wider NIS community.
From Seeds to Celebrations
Community Diwali celebration: It all started when two of our teachers from India took the initiative to introduce the beauty of Diwali to our school community. Eager to share their cultural heritage, they embarked on a journey to organize a celebration that would bring everyone together in the spirit of unity. Diwali is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali is a time for joy, family gatherings, and the illumination of homes with diyas (oil lamps), along with colorful decorations, fireworks, feasts, and sweets!
The preparations for the Diwali celebration began weeks in advance. The teachers, along with other staff and student groups, dedicated time to teaching traditional music and dance steps traditional to Indian celebrations and familiar to Bollywood enthusiasts. The goal was not only to showcase the cultural significance of the festival but also to provide an interactive, engaging, and joyous experience for everyone involved.
On the day of the event, decorations went up, and the traditional foods came out, warmly inviting students and their families into the festive atmosphere and priming them for the main event of performances in the Multipurpose Hall (MPH). It was a colorful, lively event that successfully drew those participating into a tradition that they might not otherwise have had the chance to experience!
Lunar New Year
As the students settled into the third quarter, a few parents came together in a similar way to wonder how NIS could share the traditions of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Before long, the lobby and hallways were seeing red - the vibrant color of the holiday! In China, red symbolizes prosperity and joy and is thought to ward off evil spirits. If that is true, then NIS will be protected in the Year of the Dragon, thanks to the families who were generous enough to share the joy of one of their most important holidays. Students helped their classmates to write auspicious messages in calligraphy and there was even an opportunity to see the traditional dragon dance in the courtyard.
On this occasion, inspiration, organization, and action started in the homes of some of our students, with parents eager to share some of the traditions from their country. It was a generous giving of their time that inspired and educated the whole of the NIS community while finding creative ways to celebrate this meaningful Lunar holiday while being far from home.
Ramadan/Shabbat
Another moving and rich cultural celebration was held in the spring as a group of parents and teachers came together to plan and execute an event commemorating two significant observances, Ramadan and Shabbat, in a joint celebration. Ramadan, a sacred month in Islam, symbolizes self-discipline, reflection, and community. It's a time of fasting from dawn till sunset, dedicated to spiritual growth and acts of charity. On the other hand, Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, offers a weekly opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and connection with family and community. Coming together to honor these traditions gave us an opportunity to cultivate a deep sense of respect and unity and highlight our shared humanity. Through engaging activities like baking challah, enjoying music, and creating holiday crafts, as well as participating in henna art, our students immersed themselves in the customs and rituals of both of these observances. Culminating in cultural presentations and a communal dinner, the celebration embodied the spirit of inclusivity and harmony that defines our school community.
Not the End of the Story!
Of course, as a school that fully embraces and appreciates our own local cultural roots, there have always been events or activities that are essential parts of the Japanese language curriculum and long-time staples of the NIS community that help students learn, celebrate, and embrace traditional Japanese culture. For example, school-wide opportunities to learn and write kanji, the practice of storytelling with kamishibai, and in particular, the early childhood Setsubun celebration held every February. But these additional celebrations like Diwali, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Shabbat, and the many other celebrations that often pop up during parent exchanges, classroom learning, Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), and school-wide celebrations like the annual International Language Week or the UN Mother Tongue day, stand as a testament to our commitment to embrace diversity and build an inclusive community. Whether a parent, a faculty member, or a student, we encourage everyone in our community to help facilitate or organize events that may have cultural significance or support learning in the classroom in some way.
NIS has always valued the many countries and cultures that make up our student body and faculty members (nearly 40!). But this year saw our community come together to highlight all that makes us unique AND what unites us. These cultural celebrations can become an opportunity for everyone to appreciate and learn from each other in a way that only an international school like NIS can do!
