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The Building Cultural Bridges Program (“BCBP”) is a Wellesley High School student-led virtual cultural exchange program for 4th and 5th graders in the Wellesley community. The program consists of two main parts for the students: a regular after school group meeting and a bi-weekly call with their “bridge” partner.
The mission of the BCBP is to increase global awareness and familiarize students with ways of life abroad, all from the comfort of home. Many children are so disconnected from foreign cultures that they have very little to no grasp of the world around them. The personal connection of the BCBP will show students that life in other countries is similar to their lives and very real.
For more information find the BCBP website https://sites.google.com/view/buildingculturalbridgesprogram/home
Or Follow the BCBP Instagram Page: bcbpwellesley
For more information or to volunteer with BCBC contact bcbpwellesley@gmail.com
The Wellesley Multicultural Festival (WMCF) is a town-wide, annual event, organized in partnership with Wellesley Public Schools which raises important questions for citizens, public administrators, and political leaders by asking for recognition of and respect for cultural differences. Every year the community engages in a growth mindset by organizing and participating this event. Growing and learning in a multicultural, brave and safe space-environment yields (in particular for K-12th grade children) a greater understanding of others’ beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. With this knowledge of others, the Wellesley community experiences and practices higher levels of interpersonal and social skills and through understanding various cultures and social groups, students are able to make connections from their own lives to the lives of their peers and thrive in a diverse world. The Wellesley Multicultural Festival is town-wide, free registration and remains inclusive of all Wellesley residents- multi-heritage and multigenerational. The WMCF is in keeping with the core values of Wellesley Public Schools and the World of Wellesley.
Program Schedule:
5:30 PM Christina Horner Co-President of WOW – Welcome and introduction
Tier I 5:45-6:15 PM
Breakout room: Chinese is easy to learn- Haihong
Chinese is easy to learn especially for Pre-K children, through song! Join this session to experience it! Parents please join in.
Breakout room: Palestine – Anais
Learn about Palestine. Appropriate for K-5 students and parents
Breakout room: Brazil – Nathalie
Learn about Brazil. Appropriate for K-5 students and parents
Breakout room: Wellesley Middle School Chinese Class- Min
Presentations and games about Chinese culture and Chinese Yo yo demonstration! Appropriate for K-5 students with parents and 6-8th graders.
Breakout room: Brazil – Rose
Share Brazilian culture and sing a song in Portuguese for Pre-K with parents
Breakout room: Celebrate Holi the festival of colors from India – Priya
Holi is a popular festival known as the “festival of colors” from India, is celebrated annually welcoming the spring season and signifies the triumph of good over evil. Come hear a story read in rhyme about how the festival came to be and its cultural significance. Great for K-8 students with parents.
Breakout room: Korean story and song – Stella
Read a story and sing a song in Korean. Appropriate for Pre-K and K-5 students with parents
Breakout room: Poetry analysis: the old South and its historical malinvestment in labor – Henri
Analyze an original poem and discuss its take on historical missteps, systems and strategies of the old South. Appropriate for 9-12th graders and adults
Breakout room: Presentation by 3rd grader – Vanda
Norouz- Iranian/Persians New Year Celebrations. Appropriate for K-8 graders, all ages are welcome
Tier II 6:15-6:45 PM
Breakout room: Bollywood Dance – Rajini and Priya
Music and dance are integral to South Asian culture, celebrations and festivals such as Holi- the festival of colors. Bollywood (India’s Hollywood) has many group-dances, Holi songs! Come dance with us and bring any questions you may have! Appropriate for all ages.
Breakout room: Indigenous Hip Hop Fest – Christina
Music is international! Join our music video party, and learn about the life, joys and struggles of various different Indigenous nations through some of hip hop’s leading Indigenous artists. Appropriate for all ages.
Breakout room: African Safari – Grieta
What’s on Safari? Join this session to find out!
Breakout room: Chinese Yo yo – Ceida
Watch a video of Wellesley students Yo yo and bring your questions! Appropriate for K-5 and parents. All ages welcome.
Breakout room: The everyday life of Russian serfs – Elena and Arina
During this presentation, you’ll find out what was the most important object in the house, why the diet of serfs was not the healthiest one, which things a person had to do in order to be considered accomplished and hear about other aspects of everyday life of Russian serfs. Appropriate for all ages.
Breakout room: Poetry Reading and Discussion – Tanya
Read and discuss “I Dream A World” by Langston Hughes and “Where The Mind Is Without Fear” by Rabindranath Tagore.
Tier III 6:45-7:15 PM
Breakout room: Field trip to the Temple of Heaven, China – Julianna
Come see this ancient Temple and the science behind the building as well as experience the culture and the faith. Appropriate for all ages.
Breakout room: Spanish Kahoot – Teresa
Learn about Spain with a fun game of Kahoot with Teresa
Breakout room: Abilities Dance Boston – Ellice
Watch a dance program and discuss its cultural significance
Breakout room: Korean culture- Wellesley High School Korean Club
Find out what you don’t know about Korean tradition, food, holidays, school, traditional instruments and more! Appropriate for all ages.
Breakout room: NATyA Dance Collective: Poseidon, Earth Shaker – Smitha
NATyA Dance Collective presents Poseidon: Earth Shaker- a piece that narrates the story of the Greek god of the sea through the Indian classical dance form, Bharatanatyam. NATyA presents Bharatanatyam to diverse audiences by leveraging original choreography, storytelling, and innovative music. Appropriate for all ages.
What: This is a part of #StopAntiAsianHate rally and run across eight towns along the Boston Marathon Route
Where: Sidewalk from Wellesley Congregational Church all the way to the Wellesley/Newton border along Washington St – 3 miles in total. 4 stations will be set up along the route demonstration gathering and water.
Any donations to cover the rally costs are welcome to the Wellesley Chinese School.
Funds raised will mainly used to order “StopAntiAsianHate” slogan prints to be distributed to runners and lawn signs to be distributed to Wellesley residents. We will also donate books and other materials related to Asian American history to Wellesley Public Schools and Public Libraries. It is part of our initiatives to propose WPS to add Asian American history and literature to their curriculum.
Leaders of civil discourse initiatives in Gloucester, Groton, and Watertown will tell their stories of how they are bringing people together to share diverse perspectives in open and inclusive public conversations using facilitated dialogue.
Following short presentations by Liam Kerr and Rep. Chynah Tyler, we will explore and discuss the high levels of K-12 school segregation in our communities, the detrimental impacts and what can be done to build a better educational experience for our children.
Liam Kerr, MA State Dir., Democrats For Education Reform.
Rep. Chynah Tyler (D), 7th Suffolk, Chair, Black & Latino Legislative Caucus.
For information or assistance, please email: atmyneighborstable@gmail.com
We as people who reside, work, and engage in Wellesley acknowledge this town is located on the traditional territory of the Massachusett Tribe. Learn more about Native Land.
© 2020 World of Wellesley