Zukeran Multi-Cultural Day seeks to expand students’ world

Lance Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt
OKINAWA MARINE STAFF

Zukeran Elementary School became a multi-cultural melting pot March 28 as the drone of Australian didgeridoos filled the air in one classroom while students down the hall donned traditional Native American costumes.

Pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade children attended and performed in the school’s fourth
annual Multi-Cultural Day, which, according to sixth-grade teacher J. Douglas Ulrich, sought
to broaden student’s views on the world by highlighting the differences and similarities between
traditional dress, food, music and art of different countries.

The day began with a short play about diversity in America. The students then explored 17 sites set up within the school that represented different countries. Iraq, Spain, Germany, Japan and Mexico were among the countries featured.

“Bringing awareness of different cultures to these students makes understanding them easier,” Ulrich said. “We don’t want them to view other cultures as weird or strange, we want them to view them as wonderful – to be excited and realize that there is much to learn from these other cultures.”

“It’s a lot of fun,” said sixth grader Ciara S. Taylor. “We get a chance to learn so many different
things about so many cultures, all in one day.”

Special education teacher Nancy C. Kelley-Burne was one of many faculty members who
served as role players for the event. Kelley-Burne wore a burqa, the traditional dress worn by
Muslim women.

“Some children thought it was scary because of the color and because my face was hidden,”
she said.

Kelley-Burne then explained why Muslim women wear the burqa and calmed their fears.

Zukeran Principal Van Furusho said the event is important because it gives the students an understanding of customs, philosophies and ideas from around the world, and by understanding
those differences, people can understandone another.

“Most of the students at Zukeran are from military families and are from all over the world, which makes this a very important day,” Furusho said.