Babylon Students, Staff Take Part in World Languages Week
BABYLON, NEW YORK (March 2024)—The Babylon Union Free School District recently celebrated World Languages Week. This national effort showcases the importance and benefits of learning new languages in a globalized world.
Each day of the week followed a theme, which together spelled the word “POWER” to illustrate the power of learning different languages. Monday’s theme was “People,” Tuesday’s was “Olympics,” Wednesday’s was “Wonders,” Thursday’s was “Eats,” and Friday’s was “Representation.” Each day featured different announcements, events, contests and prizes.
The teachers added to the festivities at the high school by participating in a door-decorating contest, with doors decorated in the spirit of the different power themes. The decorated doors showcased international mathematicians and scientists, natural wonders of the world, culinary delights, artists, the Parisian Olympics and sports displays, people of different cultures and much more. Students and staff were invited to vote for their favorite doors.
On Musique Miércoles, or Music Wednesday, Spanish and French language students held a challenge between Spanish and French music. World language voted on a song in the two respective languages, and while it was a close race, the French song prevailed this year.
The World Languages Club also hosted an afterschool event featuring culturally themed power puzzles. Students from Babylon Memorial Grade school and the high school worked together to solve the puzzles and learned about each other as they worked. Additionally, at the grade school students celebrated World Language Week by learning different ways to say, "Good Morning."
For Thursday, the world languages department invited students to share recipes from their families and the world languages club compiled them into a cookbook. Club members will present a copy of the cookbook to each Board of Education member and administrative staff.
Finally for representation day on Friday, students at the high school were treated to an assembly by Rhythms from the Americas, a dance group that presented various Latino dances with highlights on their origins. The enthusiasm was infectious as hundreds of students volunteered to dance to salsa, bachata, merengue and reggaeton music. After the assembly, students in language classes were visited by community members who volunteered to speak to our students about their rich cultural backgrounds. They included people from Hispanic, Greek, Nigerian and Japanese descent as well as some Babylon students who spoke about their backgrounds and experiences.
Date Added: 3/14/2024