On Korean Day, Pupils Find Amity Growing From a Dish of Culture

In the past year, the number of Korean children at Calahan Street Elementary School in Northridge has almost doubled, representing a small but dramatic shift in demographics.

Now, at a school of 380 youngsters, 15 are Korean, most of them newly arrived immigrants who speak hardly any English and know little about U.S. customs. This creates a feeling of isolation on a campus where most of their classmates do not appreciate Korean culture, said Principal Dianne Dash Island.

To improve the self-esteem of the Korean students, broaden their classmates’ knowledge and anticipate an increase in the number of Korean students in the next few years, Tuesday was declared Korean Day at Calahan.

It turned out to be a day of contrasts.

Korean mothers in flowing chimas-- high-waisted, floor-length skirts--chatted amicably with Anglo moms, many of whom were casually dressed in leggings and oversized sweat shirts.

A table was filled with Korean and American midday snacks. Youngsters piled their plates high with turkey sandwiches, chunks of watermelon, Korean-style barbecue beef, chocolate-chip cookies, chap chae --a Korean noodle dish--and a Korean version of the Japanese favorite, sushi.

About 30 Korean children from Hobart Elementary School, who traveled from their Koreatown campus to participate in the Calahan celebration, performed Korean folk dances and songs for the Northridge students. In return, Calahan second-graders serenaded their visitors with American favorites such as “Zip-a-Dee Doo Dah,” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Even Mark Kilgrow, the blond Calahan Student Council president, got into the spirit. He traded his surfer look of T-shirts and baggy shorts for traditional Korean men’s attire of bloomer-like trousers and a loose jacket tied with a bow.

“Today, our Korean children were walking with their heads held high. They were celebrities,” Island said after the festivities.

“When children have pride in their culture, they’re successful,” she added. “When they feel ashamed of their culture, they don’t do well in school. I don’t know if there’s scientific proof to back that up, but I have seen examples right here on this campus of what pride and self-esteem can do for a child.”

Tuesday’s event was the end of a three-week period during which Calahan students studied Korean history, geography and art.

“Normally our children wouldn’t learn about Korean artifacts, language or even the food,” said Donna Miller, co-president of the Calahan PTA. “This is really beneficial for them.”

Calahan, with just under 400 students enrolled, is one of the smaller schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Still, the student body is diverse. There are 14 ethnic groups on the campus. Twelve languages besides English are spoken. Calahan is a true neighborhood school, drawing most of its students from a suburban area bordered by Reseda Boulevard on the east, Wilbur Avenue on the west, Plummer Street on the north and Nordhoff Street on the south.

During the school year, Island sees to it that each minority group is highlighted. In the last two months, the school has celebrated Chinese New Year, Women’s History Week and Black History Month.

The focus on ethnic groups has improved relations among Calahan students, said Young Lim, a Korean member of the Calahan Student Council.

“Days like this help people learn not to misjudge other people just because they are different,” she said.