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PRIMARY SCHOOL
UNITED NATIONS DAY IN THE PRIMARY DIVISION KEN SCHUNK DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PRIMARY DIVISION
This fall, the students of the primary division were engaged in activities that helped them learn about our diverse cultures and nations culminating in an SAS tradition - United Nations Day. There were classroom discussions that covered topics such as how many countries actually exist, why countries have flags, which country students considered to be their home country, and why people in other countries speak different languages. The children talked about how people in various countries are very similar in that they may like to sing, dance, and have fun, that they work so they can live in a house, eat, and have things that make their lives better, and that they may have pets and go to school. The children also learned that some people are less fortunate and don't have all that boys and girls at SAS have. On Friday, September 27, the ECC and primary division gathered for an hour-long assembly in the high school gym for the culminating activity around the theme of United Nations Day. It was a celebration of the ways we are all unique, and just as importantly, the ways people around the world are the same. After some brief introductory remarks by deputy principal Ken Schunk, the program began with a "Parade of Nations." Walking in pairs, 110 happy and very excited kindergarten, grade one, and grade two students entered an arena of over 1,100 people, carrying the 55 flags that represent all the countries that SAS students in the ECC and primary see as part of their heritage or important in their lives.
The children wore every kind of costume imaginable, from cheongsams, kimonos, sarees, hanbok, Baju Melayu, and cowboy clothing, to sports uniforms. Some even dressed as Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty. As the music played and spectators clapped and cheered, there were tears as well. Those came mainly from the adults who said that despite how cliche it might sound, they were overcome with emotion from seeing the promise of a better future represented in the collective potential of their children. Following the Parade of Nations, Jordan Mussleman, a second grade student in Mrs. Dougherty's class, stood at a microphone undaunted by being in front of the largest audience she had ever faced, and in a firm, clear voice explained to everyone how the United Nations originated. Mr. Schunk then introduced two video clips in the following way: "In world that is changing fast and one where people are now more connected and dependent on each other than at any other time in history, primary UN Day is really focused on a message of happiness and how important it is to play hard, smile often, laugh aloud, and dance like there is music in your heart. Boys and girls, you live in a time when you will see more of the world by the time you are 18 than most people will see in their lifetime. You will travel to other countries, visit interesting places, see amazing sights, and meet many different people. You have been to other countries, but in the USA, four out of every 10 people never leave the place they
were born, seven out of every 10 people do not have a passport and therefore do not leave the USA. Continue to travel because it will change you and it will change how you view the world. By traveling, you will be able to appreciate just how amazing our world really is. You will see new and interesting things. It will excite, entertain, and even amaze you. And…everytime you take the time to see something new, it will make it easier for you to connect and communicate with others, to make new friends, to become more skillful, and to stay active. It is one way to stay happy. I want you to watch this next video because it is a small example of why ours is “A Wonderful World" (http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=B8WHKRzkCOY)." "Ten years ago, a man named Matt Harding traveled around the world. His friend took a video of him doing a goofy dance in different places. It wound up on YouTube and Matt became famous. He traveled around the world looking for happy people. He found many and he danced with all of them. Matt realized that while dancing, that he could also learn something…so he went back and did it again…and again…and again. Now Matt thinks travel is important. It helps us learn what we're capable of, that the path laid in front of us isn't the only one we can choose, and that we don't need to be so afraid of each other all the time. Matt also used to think you were either good at something or bad at something and there wasn't much you could do to change it. He wishes he'd learned sooner that you can get better at most things just by doing