Kids Share Cultures at School Unity Day

Among the 200 cultural samplings students brought to Vintage Street Magnet School on Friday, a large blue and yellow, candy-filled cone called a schultute was the favorite.

The cones are traditionally given to first-grade students on their first day of school in Germany.

Among the other items were Danish pancakes with raspberry sauce, Matrushka dolls--tiny and colorful--from Russia and a multicolored model jeepney bus from the Philippines.

About 30 cultures and nationalities were represented in the auditorium as part of a Unity Day.

Arlene Cowen, the school’s human relations coordinator and a fifth-grade teacher, said the event was designed to enhance cultural understanding among the elementary school’s 720 students.

Recent incidents of hate-related violence played a part in creating the event, she said.

“They children get to see things from their homelands and to have an appreciation of other cultures--to get rid of the hate, which is what we’re doing here to become a community of many cultures,” Cowen said.

“We hope that by showing unity, these children will go and create the same feeling in their houses and their communities.”

Groups of curious students viewed artifacts displayed on long tables: a drum from Ghana, carved wooden fixtures from Honduras, Aztec sun calendars from Mexico, an African warrior statue and Argentine vessels for drinking tea made from mate leaves.

There were traditional costumes from the nations of Thailand, Korea and Poland.

Students also brought black-and-white photos of their ancestors.

Fourth-grade teacher Donna Goodlett displayed a quilt her great-grandmother had made by hand.

She estimated the quilt was 80 years old.

Josh Koroghli, 10, of Tarzana, brought a khatam, a wooden jewelry box from Iran.

“It’s a good way to see all the different cultures [students] have,” Josh said.