(above, l-r) Members of the ALT PTO; Front row: Shawna Slater, Jessica Bodajlo, Kami Nelson, Amanda Beyus, Christine Brezee; Back row: Zeina Jundi, Vivian Shehady, Kruti Rumani, Arelis Buzzerio, Michele Araujo, Laura Roberts, Gretchen Minieri, Carina Bellmann, Leslie Morales, Stephanie Greenberg, and Danielle Mazzurco.
ALT Students and teachers celebrate International Day with an Egyptian Paradise
Stephanie Greenberg and ALT students creating Egyptian Collar Necklaces. (Avery Keleher in blue)
On Thursday, January 24, 2019, the Angelo L. Tomaso (ALT) school gymnasium was transformed into an Egyptian paradise. International Day is an opportunity for students to learn about and to strengthen their knowledge of different countries and cultures. This year ALT students were enchanted by the sounds, dress, tastes, scenery, history and lifestyle of the Egyptian civilization. Members from ALT’s PTO International Committee spent several weeks preparing for this marvelous event.
As the students and teachers walked through the double doors to enter the gymnasium, they were met by members of the PTO who were decorated from head to toe wearing gold jewelry, sashes, Egyptian Headdress or Head Crowns and makeup, creating a truly authentic experience. To reinforce the originality of the event, the Nile River had been constructed and was running through the gymnasium. The Egyptian flag hung from the ceiling and the walls were painted with student (K-5) artwork representing Ancient Egypt. Surrounding the Nile River, stations were set up for students to take a deeper dive into the Egyptian Culture.
Before setting off on the tour of Egypt, students attentively listened to a PowerPoint presentation where they learned many important ancient Egyptian facts, some of which they would soon experience themselves during the tour.
Leslie Morales teaching the students how to spell their names using hieroglyphs.
The Marketplace was the first stop. Students were introduced to a variety of vegetables consumed currently as well as historically in Egypt. A tasting table was set up for students to sample hummus and pita, a popular snack in Egypt, and among the students of ALT as well!
Next up was cartouche creation. The cartouche is an ornamental figure often found on an oval shield containing characters that represent the names of royalty. Fittingly, students created cartouches, stamping ALT onto a clay oval, which was left to dry overnight to harden into either a key chain, necklace or simply a token on a string to remind the students of their special day.
A few paces over the game of Handball, a very prominent Egyptian sport, was set up. First, the classes listened as the history of the game and playing instructions were shared. Then, the students were divided up into two lines to let the games begin! The Egyptian national handball team has been considered one of the best handball teams in Africa, the students of ALT seemed to greatly enjoy the game as well.
Grade 3 students Leila Qadri and Leila Romero were very happy after creating their collar jewelry and tasting some hummus and pita.
Following the Nile River, the next station included Egyptian collar jewelry design. Students created beautiful pieces that resembled jewelry worn by ancient Egyptian gods and royalty. Next, students discovered the hieroglyphic alphabet and practiced writing their names using the symbols. Lastly, students visited the mummification station where they learned the process of making a mummy and the history of King Tut.
Not only did the students experience an incredibly enriching active learning experience, they had a blast doing it.
“International Day gives us, the ALT PTO, the opportunity each year to truly delve into all aspects of one specific country. We are able to provide the children with a hands-on experience to everything from culture, traditions, inventions, foods, sports and games. The goal of this event was to enrich the children in their daily curriculum, while supporting an environment of cultural awareness, respect and acceptance of differences.” – Carina Bellmann, ALT PTO International Committee chair member.
Submitted by Shannon Regan
Photos by Warren Township Schools
(above, l-r) Back Row: Michele Araujo, Gretchen Minieri, Meredith Landau, Juliana Giudice, Leslie Morales, Stephanie Greenberg, Carina Bellmann, Arelis Buzzerio, Zeina Jundi, Christine Mazzurco, Amanda Beyus; Front row: Laura Roberts, Shawna Slater, Kami Nelson, Vivian Shehady, Jessica Bodajlo, Christine Breeze, and Kruti Ramani.
Dr. Matthew Mingle, Superintendent of Schools, Stephanie Greenberg, and Ms. Christine Smith, Principal of ALT enjoying International Day.
ALT students playing handball.
Cartouche table
Vivian Shehady, Zeina Jundi
The Nile River running through the ALT gymnasium
Christine Brezee and Amanda Beyus at the mummification station.
