CES first grader Will getting his new passport photo taken at the CES Arts and Culture night. (Photo courtesy Carver Public Schools) 
CES sixth grader Harper getting their new passport photo taken at the CES Arts and Culture night. (Photo courtesy Carver Public Schools) 
Attendees participating in Abdou Sarr’s 20-minute African dance workshop. (Photo Courtesy of Carver Public Schools) 
At the CES Arts and Culture Night, attendees wrote about why they think the world is wonderful and what they can do to make it better. (Photo Courtesy of Carver Public Schools)
CARVER — Superintendent Scott Knief is pleased to announce that Carver Elementary School students and families celebrated different cultures from around the world last week.
On Thursday, May 18, Carver Elementary hosted its first CES Arts and Culture Night for community members to enjoy a night filled with art, music, dancing, culture and food trucks.
Prior to doors opening to all CES families, a Sensory Student Art Walk was held for those who may experience sensory overload in large groups. During the sensory walk, families had the opportunity to walk throughout the school to see other students’ artwork and classes decorated in honor of each continent.
Once doors opened to all community members, approximately 600-800 attendees traveled throughout the world and immersed themselves in different cultures during a variety of activities hosted by CES Allied Arts team members.
The Allied Arts team, consisting of music teacher Kat Krampf, art teacher Candace Stansfield, physical education teachers Sean Allaire and Renee DeMarsh, technology teacher Jane Kent, English language learner teacher Pat Tobin and book collection teacher Kevin Thompson, each hosted an activity based on their discipline.
Throughout the year, CES students completed several pieces of artwork in art teacher Stansfield’s classes and each student had their pieces displayed during an art show.
Simultaneously, attendees had the option to sign up for 20-minute African dance workshops led by Abdou Sarr under the direction of physical education teachers Allaire and DeMarsh. Sarr, a master teacher of the Sabar and Djembe dances from Senegal, taught students and families different dance moves and traditional drumming.
Book collection teacher Thompson read Native American stories to attendees in the library while technology teacher Kent hosted a virtual travel experience with virtual reality goggles and a Google Translate station.
In addition to all the activities, second-grade students in each class participated in 15-minute “around the world” concerts that included each student having the opportunity to sing, sign, or play an instrument. Before each performance, students read some fun facts about different countries including Morocco, Brazil, France and Israel.
To view a virtual version of the performance, click here.
While music teacher Krampf oversaw performances, English language learner teacher Tobin led a culture station in the music room filled with attendees singing and learning dances from different cultures.
Throughout the night, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee led a scavenger hunt where attendees could travel from classroom to classroom with each representing different continents. Those who visited each continent got a stamp, and those who visited every continent received a passport photo.
There were also the Local Larry’s, Moms on the Go and Plymouth Party food trucks for attendees to snack on.
The night concluded with the fourth and fifth-grade CES Chorus performing the songs Al Shlosha d’Varmin (Hebrew text), Oye (Spanish text) and A Ram Sam Sam (A Moroccan folk song).
The Allied Arts Team would like to thank the Safe and Supportive School Committee, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, administrative team and CES Parent Teacher Organization for their support of this event.
“We were extremely excited to host a community event for students and families that celebrated all the different cultures that make up our community and beyond,” said Krampf. “We had a great turnout of family and students, and we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who has supported and helped us put this night together.”
Discussions about hosting a CES Arts and Culture Night were originally brought up in 2019, however, the event was significantly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2022, the CES Allied Arts Team decided to revisit the conversation and partnered with the Safe and Supportive School Committee and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to bring the event to fruition.
“Events like this one are a team-wide effort, and it was great to see our different committees and teachers partner together to host an event that truly recognized and celebrated our community members’ and the world’s differences,” Superintendent Knief said. “It was amazing to see everyone get involved and enjoy learning about different cultures, and I greatly look forward to hopefully attending this event in the future.”
This was the first time Carver Elementary Schoo hosted this night, and the Allied Arts Team, Safe and Supportive School Committee and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee hope to host this event again in the future.
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