Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 8, Issue 2, February 2004

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Broadview-Thomson continues

multi-cultural festival Wed, Feb. 4

By LYNN EDWARDS

Broadview-Thomson Elementary School held a multi-cultural festival on Jan. 9. It began with each grade level hearing two presentations by local authors and storytellers telling about their own families cultural heritage. Student work and thank you letters can be seen on the many bulletin boards outside the library.

The second day of this event was postponed because the scheduled performers, the Adefua African Music and Dance Company, were in Africa. They will present an interactive assembly to our students, staff, and parents on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. Interested community members are invited to attend. Everyone is encouraged to wear traditional cultural clothing.

Several area authors participated.

Author Ken Mochizuki, a Franklin High School graduate concentrated on making stereotypes, prejudice and racism understandable for students by discussing his books "Baseball Saved Us and Heroes." He conducted an age-appropriate discussion of the Holocaust focusing on the issues of the moral dilemma and conscientious choice based on his book "Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story." Students were excited to learn about the Japanese experience.

Author Laura McGee Kvasnosky presented a slide show based on four of her books: "See You Later, Alligator," "Zelda and Ivy," "Zelda and Ivy and the Boy Next Door," and "Zelda and Ivy at Christmas." Her presentation included singing, dancing and interaction since kindergarten and first grades are her focus. Her ancestors were from Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

Author Arthur Dorros spoke about his experiences as a child and adult that led to his writing and illustrating both fiction and nonfiction. His books such as "Abuela, Isla" and "Carnaval" have a Hispanic flavor since he spent time in South America. His ancestors were Russian, Romanian, and Jewish.

Pat Peterson, whose ancestors came from Ireland, told traditional and original tales to second, third, and fourth graders. Her stories focused on cultural enrichment, celebrating our similarities and differences.

Garfield High School graduate Debra Harris-Branham specialized in African American and African folklore. She included trickster tales with humor and involved the students in her stories. Kindergarten and first graders could be seen crawling on the floor imitating various animals.

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Lynn Edwards is the librarian at Broadview Thomson Elementary School and the organizer of the school's multi-cultural festival. The school is located at 13052 Greenwood Ave. N in the Broadview neighborhood.