By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Westborough – As part of the Mill Pond School's sixth-grade curriculum, the students learn about a number of different cultures from around the world. To help enhance their studies of the Latin American culture, the sixth-grade teaching team organized a day-long interactive event Nov. 9 that featured ethnic foods, arts, dance, science and language.
During the day, the students participated in a hands-on science experiment that helped them to understand the effects of acid rain on the Amazon's rain forest. ?They made colorful flowers out of tissue paper and festive masks in the tradition of those worn on the “Day of the Dead,” a holiday which honors friends and family members who have passed away.
After Brooke Hauser, a teacher and salsa aficionado, demonstrated the basics, the kids laughed and showed off their version of the popular dance in one of the school's hallways.
The students also participated in a game of “Latin American” trivia and practiced their language skills with a school secretary and a student's mother, both of whom are natives of Latin American countries.
Everyone enjoyed a luncheon buffet, courtesy of many parents who contributed dishes.
Shannon Barca, one of the teachers and a team leader, said the event was met with great enthusiasm by the staff and families.
“All of the teachers had a big part in helping to set up this day,” she noted. “And Amy Seymour, the mother of one of our students, really helped organize the other volunteers, too.”
“It's important for the kids to learn about and respect other cultures from around the world,” she added. “Events like this show them that although there are differences, we have things in common, too.”