Celebrating Asian Heritage Month 2024 at Our School: A Recap of Recent Events
Our Community Action Team for Arts and Culture (CAT-AC) has recently organized a series of events to celebrate and highlight the rich and diverse heritage of Asia for Asian Heritage Month 2024. These initiatives were designed to engage our school community, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Asian cultures. Here’s a recap of the exciting events we hosted.
Presentations Highlighting Asian Heritage
We kicked off our celebration with a series of presentations showcasing the vibrant heritage of Asian countries. These presentations were a part of our weekly contributions to assembly, they not only educated our audience but also sparked meaningful discussions about cultural diversity and inclusion.
Kahoot on Asian Heritage
To make learning about Asian heritage fun and interactive, we organized a Kahoot quiz for our advisor classes. This friendly competition tested students’ knowledge on a range of topics related to Asian cultures, from historical facts to contemporary influences. It was heartwarming to see everyone participating enthusiastically, and the quiz provided a wonderful opportunity for both learning and bonding.
Author Visit: Jeff Chiba
We were fortunate to welcome local author/illustrator/animator, Jeff Chiba Stearns, to our school. In his presentations, we learned about the process of making animation, Japanese-Canadian identity and history, and how he was inspired to create his works. Jeff’s exuberant energy and creativity shone through and we were able to see him create some drawings right before our eyes.
Classroom Tours of Asia
Throughout the month, each class found time to share and discuss what connections they have to nations in Asia. Students shared family heritages and trips they’ve been on. Even students who thought they had no ties to Asia made connections by thinking about parts of Asian culture they enjoy right here in Canada.
Asian Tea Morning
One of the most recent events was our Asian Tea Morning. We set up a stand where students and staff could sample a variety of complementary Asian teas. This event was a sensory delight, offering everyone a chance to experience the unique flavors and aromas of teas from different Asian regions. It was a relaxing and enjoyable way for our community to come together, appreciate the delicacy of teas, and learn about the different flavour profiles that exist within Asian cultures.
Overall, these events were a tremendous success, bringing our school community closer and enhancing our understanding of Asian heritage. We are grateful to everyone who participated and supported these initiatives. Stay tuned for more exciting events from CAT – AC!
Written by CAT-AC