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Lower Merion School District

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Panthers Celebrate Diversity at Cultural Heritage Night

Penn Valley Elementary School recently held its annual Cultural Heritage Night, bringing families together to celebrate and explore the rich tapestry of cultures and traditions from around the world that make their community so unique.

The gymnasium transformed into a cultural showcase, with colorful displays that delighted the senses. Tables featured maps, artwork, artifacts, traditional clothing, and samples of customary dishes, each lovingly curated by families to share their heritage. The air buzzed with the sounds of laughter, music and conversation, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

At the start of the evening, each student received a special passport to be stamped as they "visited" the various countries showcased in the gymnasium. Displays highlighted cultures from across the globe, including Japan, Laos, Venezuela, Slovakia, France, Argentina, Afghanistan, Italy, Uruguay, India, Greece, Norway, and Poland, among others.

Cultural Heritage Night at Penn Valley provides a fantastic opportunity for students to expand their understanding of global cultures while appreciating the diversity that enriches their school community. Events like this nurture inclusivity and belonging by fostering respect for the differences that make each individual special, while also encouraging students to connect with their own heritage, building a sense of pride in their identities and origins. #LMSDBuildingBelonging

As always, Penn Valley's Cultural Heritage Night was a resounding success! Check out the slideshow below to see highlights from this memorable evening!

A Penn Valley mother stands with her table display at Cultural Heritage Night
An elderly gentleman dressed in a French-lookin striped blue shirt and hat with red ribbon
A Penn Valley mother serves food to another guest from their Laos table display
A father holds his daughter as he smiles for the camera
A woman reads the poster that a table for Greece has on display
The elderly men in French-looking striped blue shirt serves food from his table
A parent in a blue bucket hat serves food to a guest from his family's Uruguay display
Parents socialize at Penn Valley's Cultural Heritage Night
A student enjoys a tasty treat at Cultural Heritage Night
A smiling husband and wife stand at their family's display for Norway
Family and friends have some fun doing a dance together at cultural heritage night
A young student checks out Poland's display at Cultural Heritage Night
Family and friends have some fun doing a dance together at cultural heritage night
Family and friends have some fun doing a dance together at cultural heritage night
Guests try some food from at an Afghani family's table display
A student licks his lips as he is about to enjoy a tasty treat
A woman smiles and laughs as she looks at something off camera
A man dressed in colorful pink Eastern garb
A smiling parent prepares to help a student try her hand at calligraphy
A trifold poster board with information about Slovakia
A woman in glasses points out a location on a globe to students
A woman helps a student try her hand at calligraphy
A child intently watches something off camera
A colorfully clad mother and father stand by the display for Uruguay
A mother holding a toddler talks with another guest
A boy in a bright yellow shirt tilts his head back as he enjoys a tasty treat
A mother pours a drink at her display table
Students get hands on with an arts and crafts activity
A little girl with a white ribbon in her hair and a flag of her family's country of origin painted on her cheek
A man holds a little electronic candle in a plastic cup
A little girl enjoys a tasty treat
A parent spoons some food into her toddler's mouth
A colorfully clad student talks to a guest at her family's table display for Poland
A girl laughs and smiles as she talks to a smaller child
A little girl focuses intently on her arts and crafts activity
A sea of faces as family and friends peruse the displays at Cultural Heritage Night
A smiling Penn Valley teacher in traditional garb talks with students
A student explores a poster with information about Greece
A student in a red soccer jersey prepares food for guests at his family's table
Three children sit on the gym floor as they work on an activity together
A mother at her table for Romania leans down to speak to a student
A mother listens to children as she works her family's table display for Argentina
A child sits on her father's shoulders as he speaks with another adult
A smiling mother sits with her two daughters, who look just like her
Two smiling boys, one wearing glasses, pose for a picture
Principal Scott Mitchell helps direct a Penn Valley family
A smiling girl in traditional Japanese clothing walks across the gym
A smiling Principal Mitchell
A mother wearing Argentinian colors blows into some kind of instrusment
A girl focuses intently on an activity at one of the display tables
A colorful close up photo of a display for Japan
Five students sit on the gym floor as they work on an activity together
A mother paints/writes Japanese letters at her family's table
Family and friends have some fun doing a dance together at cultural heritage night
Family and friends have some fun doing a dance together at cultural heritage night
A student works on her Japanese lettering at Cultural Heritage Night
A girl and her mother peruse a display for Poland
Two smiling girls in traditional garb
A candid photo of two smiling girls chatting in their traditional clothing
Two Japanese adults stand with displays of that country's currency
A mother in an Italian soccer jersey pours a drink for a visitor to her table
A woman leans down to talk to students at her family's display table
A man spoons some food into his mouth
Parents from Venezuela prepare some food for visitors to their table
A mother representing Canada speaks to visitors to her table
Delicious-looking food ready to eat

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