C.E.T. Elementary School Hosts Vibrant A Taste of Culture Celebration

Hundreds of people came to celebrate a wide variety of cultures at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School on Friday, March 28th - and left with a wealth of information and a strong sense of Croton’s diverse community. For instance, did you know that rangoli is an art form originating in India and that celebrities Tina Fey, Bob Costas, and Jennifer Aniston trace their heritage to Greece? How about that Puerto Rico’s national animal, the coqui tree frog, has been alive for 29 million years?!  And what do you think you’d get if you ordered a double double in Canada? Here in NY, we call that a coffee, light and sweet.

The annual A Taste of Culture Night, featured 18 cultures and was spread across CET’s kindergarten, first, and second-grade wings. Each classroom was dedicated to a different cultural tradition, allowing attendees to explore customs, languages, and histories from around the world. Families, many of which were intergenerational, created an experience in each room, serving food, wearing cultural clothing, offering hands-on activities such as arts and crafts, and sharing information about their country or culture. 

Many Croton-Harmon High School students volunteered at the event, including Danielle who was in the Korea classroom. She said that choosing to volunteer at this event was an easy choice, and that she learns a lot and enjoys exploring different cultures. In the classroom featuring Ukraine, the mother of a CET student who was born in Ukraine said that it is important that people learn about the beautiful, rich culture of her country. In the Israel room, the father of a third-grade student spoke about his childhood on a kibbutz and how it gave him a strong sense of community. In the Italy room, people sampled homemade sausage bread. Reflecting on the message they hoped people took away from A Taste of Culture, the hosts of the Italy room said, "We hope they see that there are many similarities in what makes us appreciate our cultures—food, music, celebrations."

A family with a current CET student and a PVC student shared that their children were extremely excited about the event. The CET student, Chloe, had even saved her passport from last year and was thrilled to return this year. Jess, a 10th-grade volunteer, chose to be in the Romania room. Her family is from Austria, which wasn’t featured this year, and since Romania isn’t far from Austria, she wanted to learn about the similarities between the two cultures.

While attending the event, Superintendent Steve Walker made his way through a crowded hallway. “It’s fantastic to see all of these families here together, taking the time to explore different cultures and appreciate all that makes us unique - and ties us together,” he said. 

The evening culminated in a spectacular fashion show held in the school's multi-purpose room. Students and families proudly showcased traditional clothing from their respective cultures, striding across the stage to enthusiastic applause. The fashion show was a powerful celebration of identity and heritage, reinforcing the importance of cultural appreciation and inclusivity.

A Taste of Culture, hosted at CET, is an annual districtwide tradition that continues to foster a sense of unity and curiosity among students, parents, and staff. By embracing the diverse backgrounds that make up the school community, the event serves as a reminder of the beauty of multiculturalism across the Croton community and the value of learning from one another.

#WhatSchoolCanBe