Student enthusiasm highlights Ridge Ruxton’s annual Multicultural Showcase Day

Native American artifacts were among the many items on display for students to learn about and discuss.

For a school that specializes in expanding horizons for its students, Ridge Ruxton School’s Multicultural Showcase Day is a natural.

In the course of a single school day recently, the school’s special education students learned how to hula and hoedown. As make-believe immigrants, they met Uncle Sam and received greetings and a U.S. flag from a beaming Statue of Liberty. They observed the pyramids and pharaohs of ancient Egypt, crafted their own Russian nesting dolls, felt the textures of Native American instruments and toys, and made Japanese gyotaku, the art of using fish to create designs. In another classroom, they watched a video of “The Lion King” and listened to a storyteller of vivid African tales. In the afternoon, an Irish band joyfully performed lively reels and jigs.

The educational tableau was all part of Ridge Ruxton’s annual and award-winning event on March 14th, which this year carried the home pride theme of “America – The Great American Melting Pot.” The showcase, well-attended by parents, community members, and BCPS administrators, including a visit from Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston to show his support, and enthusiastically enjoyed by students and staff alike, gives Ridge Ruxton students a wonderful way to learn about the world’s diverse cultures and nations.

A Multicultural Spotlight Day volunteer oversees a display and workshop on Russian toys, art, and culture.

“The activities are designed as an extension of the instructional program with a theme of multicultural experiences,” said Ridge Ruxton Principal Ed Bennett. “The students today were actively involved in providing the introduction to today’s program through the use of assistive technology, a dance performance, the sign language chorus, a parade of nations, storytelling, an interactive African room, craft creations, costume dress of other countries, an Irish band, and much more.”

As Mr. Bennett indicates, the event is certainly a production. In 2001, the school’s Multicultural Showcase won a Parent Involvement Award from the National Parent-Teacher Association in recognizing of the creativity and effort that goes into the yearly pageant and activities. Parent support has always been high at Ridge Ruxton, a school that serves special needs children from the central region as well as portions of the northeast and northwest portions of Baltimore County.

Teachers Fran Duffy, Valerie Bleau, Karen West, and Sue Beer all agreed that the day was special not only for the students, most of whom have been identified as developmentally delayed, intellectually limited, autistic-like, or multi-handicapped, but also for the staff and parents at the school.

At the finale of the school’s “Parade of Nations,” students who had represented different nations from around the world had a chance to wave U.S. flags and cheer our shared heritage.

“The atmosphere at Ridge Ruxton is like family,” said Duffy. “Many of our students have been here since they were three years old; we are familiar with their parents, and they with us. So our Multicultural Day is a combined effort -- students, teachers and parents.”

Added Bleau, “We have a great time working on activities like this because we all work together well; everyone lends his or her own expertise and the students help with decorations and setting up.”

West and Beer said the event not only promotes parent participation and closer communication with teachers and the school, but keeps its focus on instruction. “We enjoy a blend of ideas, talent and sharing,” said West, “and the result is not only a team effort, but a well-presented Multicultural Showcase that is a learning experience for all who attend.”

Perhaps the most meaningful part of the day, though, comes through the student participation – be it on stage signing “This Land Is Your Land” as part of the sign-language chorus or using adaptive voice technology to welcome parents and guests to the day’s festivities.

“The students have an opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities as they display their levels of independence,” said Principal Bennett. “It’s a great day all around.”

Story and photos by Charles Herndon, communications specialist, Baltimore County Public Schools.