OXNARD : School Takes a Global Look at Christmas

As sisters Kaylene and Lauryn Hernandez strolled through the hallways of Christa McAuliffe School in Oxnard, they learned about the many ways various cultures celebrate Christmas and the end of the year.

“It’s interesting that the American way is not the only way to have Christmas,” said 8-year-old Kaylene. “It helps us to understand other people better.”

The sisters were two of nearly 400 parents, students and friends who attended the school’s second annual Winter Festival on Thursday.

For weeks, teachers and students worked to display something depicting Christmas and New Year’s celebrations around the world in the school’s corridors and cafeteria.

There were Merry Christmas signs in Spanish, Russian, French and Japanese; signs explaining that Hanukkah is the feast of lights in remembrance of a war won by the Jews; and signs reminding passers-by that New Year’s Day is the most important holiday celebration in China.

Outside one of the classrooms, a handwritten note near the Holland flag related that Santa come to Holland by boat, while drawings and ornaments on a table explained that many African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. The holiday was created in 1966 to remind African Americans of their heritage and customs.

“I look at this and marvel to know that my 5-year-old daughter will come home aware that her race is not the only race that exists,” said Louie Gonzalez, who had brought his entire family to the celebrations. “They have everything for everyone.”

But that was not quite the case.

Shahida Chaudhry and daughters Mariam, 9, and Amna, 4, could not find anything from their home country: Pakistan.

“We don’t celebrate Christmas, but we do have several celebrations throughout the year,” Chaudhry said. “It’s great for the kids, though, to be exposed to all of these different celebrations.”

The festival, which lasted from 6 to 8 p.m., also featured children singing Christmas carols and a small shop where youngsters could do their Christmas shopping.

The shop, which had been open for three days, sold items ranging from 15 cents to $9, including sewing kits, clocks, rings, potholders and mugs.

“This is a great way for the kids to do their Christmas shopping,” said volunteer Virginia Urango. “The price is really low, and they can actually shop without having their parents around.”