Administrator: Lynn Allen : "The most important and lasting legacy of one's life is the positive impact and influence we have in the lives of others - whether they know it or not."

The Multicultural Education Department works with administrators, teachers and students to: emphasize the importance of cultural competence in a democratic society; enhance cross cultural relationships; and promote cultural understanding and respect for each other. These concepts are supported by The Salad Bowl Newsletter which goes out to all staff and will be a link in the school digital backpacks, through staff development, cultural assemblies at the schools, and classroom presentations. The department also manages a hands-on cultural museum and library (the Multicultural Resource Center - MCRC) which is used by teachers who bring their classes for cultural field trips. Although the field trips are tailored to meet the needs of the teacher or group leader and the reservation time frame, the visits usually incorporate in-depth studies of specific cultures and include discussions about prejudice and stereotyping, history, traditional heritage, modern social practices, current issues, traditional clothing, music, art and more! The MCRC is also open to schools outside of District 97, libraries, and to community members and groups.

With a very small staff, we are sometimes out at the individual schools. For that reason, it is best to schedule your visit or call ahead so we can make sure to be here when you come to visit the MCRC. Because we have over 16,000 items, we ask if you intend to check out artifacts, please plan to arrive no later than 4:30 pm so you will have time to choose from the wealth of resources you will find.

Mission

An important goal of multicultural education is to improve race relations & to help all students acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to participate in cross-cultural interactions and in personal, social, and civic action that will make our nation more democratic and just.
(Gary Howard, We Can't Teach What We Don't Know).

That makes multicultural education as important for middle class White suburban students as it is for students of color. Effective education is not a one way street. It is a multidirectional flow of information which includes multiple perspectives, culture, literature, art, music, and history. Most of the issues facing us today have their roots in yesterday, so to understand what is happening now our students must have some knowledge about what happened then. They need some sense of appreciation for the perspectives and experiences of "others".

Beyond that important mission, multicultural education has a direct impact on student achievement. Educational experts throughout our nation cite the importance of "relevance" in getting students engaged in learning. A culturally relevant class should include culturally relevant pedagogy as well as content that incorporates aspects of the collective histories, cultures, contributions and influences that have made our country what it is today - "one out of many". When those things are present, it is more likely to engage students who are not members of the dominant socioeconomic, religious and/or racial groups. Data indicates that this is especially important for African American and Hispanic or Latino students, but has been shown to increase academic achievement for female students in the sciences and math, and for male students in reading as well.

Our children will be the leaders of tomorrow. We must engage, educate and prepare them to solve some of the greatest challenges in the world – many of which have been caused by cultural, racial, and religious misunderstanding and enmity. It is past time to do whatever it takes to make sure that not only is "no child is left behind", but that we see to it that every child moves ahead.

Monthly Cultural Designations
September	Scottish, Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month
October	Polish, German, Italian, Gay and Lesbian History Month
November	Native American and Arab American Heritage Month
December	Universal Human Rights Month
January	It's Okay to Be Different Month
February	African American History Month
March	Irish American, Deaf and Women's History
April	Autism Awareness Month
May	Senior Citizens, Jewish & Jewish American, Pacific Island & Asian American Heritage
June	Caribbean American Heritage Month