Celebrations of Belonging

Our annual Hispanic Heritage Fiesta joyfully recognizes and celebrates the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and countless contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. By engaging with authentic clothing, music, food, and storytelling, our students move beyond textbook learning to experience the beauty of these diverse cultures firsthand. This celebration affirms the identities of our Hispanic and Latino families while teaching all students to appreciate the deep cultural roots that shape our broader society and local community.

The winter season brings our Festival of Lights, a celebration that highlights the universal themes of hope, warmth, and community found in traditions across the globe. By exploring holidays such as Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and others, students learn to identify the shared human experiences that connect different faiths and cultures. We host this event to teach our students that while we may celebrate differently, the desire to bring light into the darkness and gather with loved ones is a beautiful, unifying thread across humanity.

Our Black History Month Celebration honors Black joy, excellence, and innovation. While the integration of Black history is a year-round commitment in our classrooms, we dedicate this specific celebration to amplifying the voices, artistry, and achievements of Black Americans. We host this event to ensure our students understand the central, indispensable role of Black individuals in shaping our nation’s history and future, and to empower all students to engage in ongoing conversations about racial equity and justice.

As a school committed to raising global citizens, we host the International Festival to celebrate the tapestry of world heritages represented right here within our own school community. We host this festival to cultivate curiosity about the wider world, encourage cross-cultural friendships, and teach our students that our community is strongest when we learn from one another’s global perspectives.

We host our Pride Festival to affirm that every type of family and every individual identity is celebrated at our school. In a developmentally appropriate way, this event focuses on the core values of love, respect, and allyship, ensuring that students from LGBTQ+ families – and our LGBTQ+ students and staff – feel fully seen and safe. By celebrating Pride and family diversity, we teach our students the vital lesson that there is no single way to be a family, and that true belonging means embracing people exactly as they are.