International Fest
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Text from Chat With Jon Waterman
Reports and poems written by students
NEWSLETTER - February 26, 2000
NEWSLETTER - February 26, 2000
Greetings Around the World, May Your Day Be Filled with Light and Peace,
I thought many might enjoy a retelling of events at Alta Elementary yesterday. I will be having students and student guests share in writing their reactions to the day. It went extremely well and very smoothly, but I thought of details to improve for next year.
Preparations /More Preparations/Recipe for Tiramasu/Morning Events/Guests Arrive/Entertainment/Brief Dedication/Celebration & Feast/Chat with Jon Waterman & Rene de Vires/Clean Up & Caption This/Thank Yous/Ideas for Improvements/Contributions
Preparations
Preparations
Preparations went on for weeks but the day before involved getting Peace Cards ready for guests. I did part of them at school, part at MailBox Etc. and then completed them at home with my daughters help. Mary joked that I was being like Martha Stewart and should have a special bone for creasing the cards (she used a knife). Still they thought they were special, and it wasn't that hard to do.
Early in the morning I made Tiramasu for the Fest and loaded the car with last minute supplies. Last thing was walking through the yard and cutting a large amount of daffodils (Mary packed vases for me while I did this). I had made a large lasagna earlier in the week as well. I donned my Swedish costume (thanks to Ellen Woitalla for the loan) and headed off to school. Unloading was easy with the help of several eager students. Food went to the kitchen and elsewhere as it arrived throughout the morning.
More Preparations
More Preparations
Students started to arrive at regular scheduled time at about 8:10. We even did some of our normal curriculum! Custodian Frank Carillo arranged the tables between two wings of the school for me (between two coastal redwoods ). All the students filled out their Peace Cards and put them in the special carved box I had for them and some did math as well. Then they went out to help set up the tables. Margaret Zavala had brought the flag centerpieces the afternoon before. When she heard of my idea earlier, she insisted on making them for me. Next year we will add to the collection. Rather than buying flags, Margaret printed them up, and I had them laminated by Cindy Smith & Linda Klein. Again, these were easy and not that expensive to make. Nicole Rodgers and Lynn Warren were cleaning up in the room and arranging daffodils in vases. We left those in the room until later in the morning.
For the tables I had purchased inexpensive solid colored tablecloths which we taped on. Then we added white and red streamers to make an effect of large flags. The students had fun doing this and found they had to work collaboratively to make it work correctly. Afterwards we went in and I showed a few minutes of specially selected parts of New Year video (we hadn't done this for the last 3 weeks). They watched the sunrise in China and dancers spring out of sand and surf as animals, children singing in Argentina in front of an incredible waterfall an original composition in Spanish, and the Eiffel Tower set off a blaze of fireworks. Then together they read and discussed a story on the Korean Children's Day.
Earlier in the week I had purchased special colored plates, silverware, and napkins which had been prepared to look very festive. Lynn had seen a show with a cute tip on arranging them, and we had punched holes in the plates. These were prepared earlier in the week.
Recipe for Tiramasu
Recipe for Tiramasu
I had one complaint about the day by the school secretary, Lorraine Anderson. We have been good friends for 18 years, and she loves to tease me. She said she had been so good at the feast and only sampled everything until she got to my dessert. She couldn't resist eating all of her serving. Everyone really enjoyed it and asked for the recipe, only I had modified the recipe I had to make it safer for the group as the recipe called for raw eggs. So here is the recipe with modifications and not precise measurements. I tend to get creative when I cook! I made a triple batch and it was a little much for a 9 by 13 casserole so I made a bowl for my family as well. For 6 people divide recipe by 3.
3 pounds Marscapone cheese (I found this at an import store or
Italian delicatessen. It can not be found everywhere)
3 cups heavy whipping cream (plus a little more, I used this
instead of the eggs)
ladyfingers (the ones I had were pretty toasted, if you are using
Angel Food cake or softer ladyfingers toast in an oven first)
Expresso (I added about 3 teaspoons of Almond Extract and sugar to
the expresso and tasted it. The extract was a substitute for
brandy or cognac)
1 1/2 cups sugar (plus maybe 1/4-1/3 cup extra. I thought it
wasn't quite sweet enough and added a little more. It is not a
super sweet dessert.
cocoa powder & semisweet chocolate shavings (if desired)
In a large bowl, I whipped the cream until it had soft, yet firm, peaks and added some of the extra sugar so it was very slightly sweetened.
In another large bowl, I whipped the Marscapone and sugar with about 1/3 cup expresso and a little more cream. This I tasted and adjusted for sweetness. You could adjust the amount of expresso and add more. Beat until fluffy and completely mixed.
Fold the two mixtures together well.
Take ladyfingers and dip one side in espresso the place DRY SIDE DOWN in the dish you are using for the Tiramasu. Completely cover the bottom with the ladyfingers. Add a thick layer of the cream mixture. Dust with cocoa powder. Repeat the layer of ladyfingers, cream, and dusting of cocoa. You can add chocolate shavings.
Chill at least one hour prior to serving. That is all there is to it. Very simple, elegant, and tasty. Don't ask how many calories!
I have heard it can be made with tofu, and I'm going to try that. I didn't know if that would go over as well so I didn't try that this time.
Morning Events
Morning Events
Fewer students are with me between morning recess and the first lunch. They did a little bit of reading and some math but at this point a lot of food was starting to arrive for lunch. We were in the middle of some math when guests from Navelencia arrived a little before 11:00 . Since the luncheon was covering two lunch periods some students returned to their classes to complete their work there.
Guests Arrive
Guests Arrive
Things really started to hum at about 10:50. Some parents had already arrived to help, I'm not even sure how many arrived altogether and many stayed for the luncheon. Some brought additional guests as well and the room had children of all ages present. The students arrived from Navelencia Middle School with their teacher, Aaron Stafford and his aid. They were all very excited and polite. Several I had never met before. All of them were given Peace Cards. The school principal and assistant principal also came to congratulate and meet me as well (they were not able to stay very long). At this point technical support arrived and helped to tweak the communications a bit. Of course, everything decided to cooperate about the time Steven arrived. He did fix the e-mail (but later it failed and I had to change the settings back to the other, then it worked again). I have decided when the system goes down, it is knowing how to flip the switch or connections to a different pathway. Everyone had fun exploring the room. The P.E. teacher came in to determine the best time for folk dancing. Primary students started to arrive as well as additional guests.
During this time photos were taken, some video, and I showed the group a couple of preselected clips from the PBS footage I had saved. I also had time to talk with the junior high students about the Chat we would be having later. We reviewed ideas, discussed what Jon had done, and got to know each other. My former students also brought me a letter they had typed and signed, it was so sweet. The room was pretty full, I really have no idea how many were there at that point, but everything ran very well. Lynn and Nicole were fabulous in helping to get everything ready while all this was going on. I have a feeling that Margaret and Jeanette Tena were also working in the back of the room.
Entertainment
Entertainment
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Some guests and primary students needed to eat earlier than the rest. During this time the rest were taken outside for entertainment provided by the P.E. tech, Paula Wiebe. Glenda Morgan had helped by adding folk dancing to the P.E. schedule starting in January. Tim Brewer and Peggy Banks added international music and theme to music curriculum (they sang those songs on Thursday as the P.E. and music schedule alternate). This was added to all the fourth and fifth grade curriculum for the school. |
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Fourth and fifth grade students performed two folk dances for the guests, one Mexican and one American. I videotaped part and so did Nicole later. Students also helped with pictures (digital and with my camera). I handed my camera to one student, gave a quick how-to lesson, and let him take some of the photos. He was grinning ear to ear! During lunch our principal, Jean Clemons, also played the accordion and Swedish folk songs. Bagpipes were also planned, but something must have happened.
I especially like this photo with hair flying during folk dance. |
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Brief Dedication
Brief Dedication
Before everyone ate (or went out for the folk dancing first) a few moments were taken to dedicate this year's event in honor of Greg Shamoon and Carl Campbell. Mr. Shamoon's wife was present. Greg loved the International Fest and was looking forward to this year's event when he was determined he was going to bring a real camel's saddle. One day perhaps we will have camel rides in his memory! A gentle man, loved by many, Greg was the type who always stopped to listen, to visit, and had a very generous, giving spirit.
Carl Campbell passed away at the beginning of this month after a long battle with cancer. In the five years he led the district, Mr. Campbell brought in many innovative programs and had a leadership style all admired. He had an open door policy and was always willing to listen to new ideas. If he didn't agree, he'd tell you, and if he did, he would help to make it happen. I know I visited his office often and many other teachers did as well. His leadership encouraged others to also step forward in team efforts. Carl's motto was always, "If it is good for kids, let's do it." His favorite story was that of the Starfish.
Celebration & Feast
Celebration & Feast
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I was nervous if there would be enough. We had a lot of guests, but all the parents and others were wonderful and there was plenty of food. There was more than last year, which was good. I had gotten plates for 80 and less than 10 remained at the end of the meal. Now some teachers might ask why go to the bother of a special treat or meal, but it makes a lot of sense. As far as number of guests and participants in various events, it was far larger than that. See my suggestions for tracking at the end.
How many schools have a principal who supplies musical entertainment? |
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Since ancient times, the breaking of bread together is a symbol of trust and friendship. This tradition crosses all cultures and is embedded in religion and folk tales. A classic example is the tale of Persephone who was taken by force by Hades. While in the Underworld, she finally ate 6 pomegranate seeds. Persephone was finally returned to her mother, Demeter, but because she had eaten the seeds, she had to spend six months with Hades. This is how the seasons were explained in ancient Greece. Persephone was also especially fond of daffodils. This can be simplified by having smaller amounts of food and just having samples. Still it is a lot of fun. Since I only have students part of the day, I rarely do cooking in class although I have done so. Cooking makes for wonderful hands-on application of math and health. Years ago I used to take students camping, and they had to plan all the meals and amounts of food needed. Photo of guests enjoying themselves. At times the tables were completely full. |
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Chat with Jon Waterman & Rene de Vires
Chat with Jon Waterman & Rene de Vires
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I logged on the Chat room early and kept going back to refresh the Chat room with a comment. Finally Jon entered (earlier than scheduled), and my system promptly went down! Fortunately Jason Wood was available, and I talked with him for tech support. He talked me through a manual override of the system, and I was finally able to log back on. Jon was no longer there, but Rene logged in. Finally Jon Waterman did come in and we had a wonderful time dialoging with the students and each other. I do have a transcript of the Chat that I will trim and post for others to enjoy.
Students watching Chat and giving questions to Cheryl Vitali. Photo below of guests waving to Jon Waterman and Rene de Vires. |
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Jon Waterman has written 9 and 1/2 books on his adventures and mountaineering experiences. Over the last three Arctic summers he has trekked about 2,200 miles (mostly by kayak, but also dog sled and ski joring). Students followed his travels in the Arctic (they read journals from 2 years of his travels), corresponded as he prepared for his trek in the Arctic last spring, celebrated the restoration of Nunavut on April 1, 1999 to the Inuit, and learned a wide variety of information about this area. Students in Dr. Janet McLellan's class also attended as they have been doing an extended unit on Arctic animals. All of the students enjoyed the Chat immensely and it was with great reluctance that they left for their school. I was very touched that all my former students had to give me a hug before they left. The new students had such a good time they all gave me a hug as well. Several students from other classes also remained for the Chat as well as parents. The Chat was shared with a connection to a 35" television, but it would be better to bring in a a projector and screen as it was impossible to adjust the size of the print for students to read the Chat readily. I will set it up a little differently for the next Chat. |
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Clean Up
Clean Up
Well this wound up being fairly simple, because Lynn Warren and Nicole did nearly all of it during the Chat! I only mention this for one reason. I need to get a copy of the photo Nicole took of me unaware. Oh, the captions that could be made for it! I did get the photo and here is a fun link to it.
Thank Yous
Thank Yous
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As you can tell, a lot of people helped to make this day a real success. I mentioned many the names within my telling of the day. Nor is it a complete list. Lynn Warren and Nicole Rodgers helped all day long. Jean Clemons was in and out all day. The janitors helped, Frank in many little ways and Tony Negrete as well. Tony brought in many of his treasures from his travels in Central America. Many teachers participated and came and nearly every instructional aid at the school. Grace Amaya and Joan Gentry warmed up the food in the kitchen. Margaret Zavala helped before and during the event and other mothers as well (including Mrs. Medina, Mrs. Tena, and Mrs. Shamoon). All the teachers involved in P.E. and music integrated the theme into about 6 weeks of instruction. It definitely felt like a wonderful community effort, and there were many people who sent their regrets because of conflicting commitments. Jody Reyna came from the Reedley Exponent. She interviewed me earlier in the week and came to get photos during the International Fest. Much thanks to all the parents who supported the International Fest!
Students and guests posed with Cheryl Vitali for photos for the Reedley Exponent. Mrs. Vitali is holding the Internet Educator of the Year Award. |
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Ideas for Improvements
Ideas for Improvements
Do a guest book. The Peace Cards worked great but as things got going people came in and out and that became more difficult. I know that not all of the guests got one and filled it out. I would have run out of cards! I should set that up better and assign students to greet guests as they arrive and direct to a sign in book.
Set up Recycling better. I need to do more signs and get student helpers so I do not have to sort again!
Get all classes involved? Many of the teachers really like the idea of the theme going to more classrooms which was a real goal I had. This year wound up being too difficult to make that feasible, but many teachers have said they would like to next year. We need to talk about what month to schedule to accommodate all hemispheres well. March was one month that was mentioned.
Set up better projection device for Chats. We have the equipment at Alta to do this now, I should see if it is an improvement.
Arrange more Chats. This was really fun. Rene recommended no more than 10 in a Chat room or it became too hard to follow. He said the room could support up to 25. I definitely would like to do more Chats and perhaps the way to keep the numbers manageable would be to have people sign up and then set them up to accommodate different time zones. I'd love to do Chats with people who work for the United Nations, a group like Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders, etc.
Contributions
Contributions
As much as I enjoyed our celebration, I look forward even more to hearing about how other students and classes have used these ideas around the world. What inspires me more than anything else with this project are the possibilities it has for encouraging and promoting real efforts for peace for all children and people. Our children are the future, and we owe children the brightest possible future that is possible. In a world with so many possibilities, there is still tremendous inequity. Technology can work wonders, but it takes individual efforts to touch another life with caring and compassion. There are many wonderful examples of peacemakers in our lives and from the past and present.
I will post those celebrations or make links as they are received.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.
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Updated 2/27/00