Tharptown Elementary hosts International Day
By Bart Moss – For the FCT
Students at Tharptown Elementary School showed off food, culture, history and arts from around the world as they hosted International Day last week. The hallways and the gymnasium of Tharptown Elementary were decorated with flags, pictures and scenery; students were dressed in traditional dress; and the air smelled of food from the various countries.
Students in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade participated in the showcase. The third grade featured France, the fourth grade featured China, the fifth grade featured England, and the sixth grade featured Mexico.
“We decided to try something different this year with our older grades,” said Tharptown Elementary Principal Ann Scott. “We did the Christmas program with our younger grades but decided to do the International Day with our older grades. Our teachers and students really got into it and have done a great job. I am really proud of them.
“I believe it is very important for students to learn about different cultures and the world we live in. We live in a global community now where we have access to all different parts of the world with just a click of a mouse or tap of an iPad.”
Sixth graders Kade and Kanaan Wagnon were working near the taco bar in the Mexico display. “I love the colors of the Mexican flag,” said Kade Wagnon. “The food from Mexico is great,” Kanaan Wagnon added.
The England display featured medieval and modern England. Fifth grader Maddie Harris said she learned a lot about the royal bloodline. “I learned about Queen Elizabeth and how the royal family is not elected but they are descended from the same family for hundreds of years,” said Maddie. “In medieval England they didn’t have much, but they made the most of what they had.”
The TES gymnasium was filled with the sights and sounds of China. Addison Gasque was impressed with the Chinese New Year and how children were at the center of the celebration.
“I like the traditional outfits of the Chinese,” said Addison. “I also like that on Chinese New Year the children are given red envelopes full of money.”
Finally, in third grade France, Laura Belle Ergle and Noah Compton couldn’t stop talking about the art and architecture.
“The Eiffel Tower is the most visited site in France,” said Laura Belle. “I can’t wait to visit it one day.”
“I like the paintings by French painters and the Eiffel Tower,” added Noah.
Many students expressed a desire to visit a new country someday.
