By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
Students at Weston School took a short trip Friday to a few different countries for the annual Holidays Around the World day. The youngsters spent the morning learning all about four different countries in each grade level with activities, crafts, stories and tasting foods.
The teachers picked which country they wanted to study and with the help of the Manville High School National Honor Society members, they gave the students a fun-filled trip around the world.
Paul Gallagher was one of the grade-level coordinators and helped plan all the third-grade countries.
”Students have done a very nice job. I am three-quarters Dutch and I chose the Netherlands because I wanted to share some traditions,” he said.
Students learned about Poland, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, India, Sweden and other countries. Bookmarks, cards and St. Lucia crowns were just some of the crafts made during the classes.
Second-grade teacher Laura Landau took students to Australia and New Zealand with her real life adventures. Ms. Landau traveled to Australia several summers ago to teach. She read the story “A Kiwi Night Before Christmas, “ a version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Students learned that down under Santa has a tractor and sheep instead of a sleigh and reindeer. Children also leave Santa beer and meat pies compared to the milk and cookies here.
Ms. Landau was also able to show a video she took of the students doing the Hokey Pokey. Students go to school the day they turn 5 years old and do not wear shoes, only socks, while inside building.
In Ms. Landau’s class, students were able to try and sample pavlova, a very sweet cookie made from meringue with strawberries on top. Most said it was good and Erik Gonzalez liked it.
The food for the event was provided by the Manville Education Foundation.
MHS student Rebecca Gianotto helped out again this year with the event.
”I love it. I love working with little kids and Ms. Landau I have known her since I was in kindergarten. I was all excited to come here. I just love seeing the little kids and helping them. It is fun. I learned a lot about Australia and New Zealand,” she said.
