In a vibrant celebration of diversity and cultural heritage, several Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) schools hosted International and Multicultural Days this May, turning schools into colorful hubs of global exploration and unity. Festivities included deeper learning by students of the rich diversity represented at BCP schools and opportunities for festivities with family and the larger community.

These International and Multicultural Days are more than events—they are living lessons in empathy, identity, and global citizenship. They help students not only understand the world but see their place within it. As these traditions grow stronger each year, they continue to plant seeds of curiosity and respect that will last a lifetime.

Frederick Elementary: A Journey Around the World 

On May 14, Frederick Elementary held its Second Annual International Day, a beloved tradition now growing in depth and creativity. Each grade adopted a different country to represent, diving deep into the unique customs, histories, and contributions of that nation. Grade-level cultural focuses included:

Pre-K: Italy
Kindergarten and 3rd Grade: Jamaica
1st Grade: Bangladesh
2nd Grade: Nigeria
4th Grade: El Salvador
5th Grade: Japan

Students worked together to explore a specific country, showcase important facts, figures, and religions, and bring to life traditional music, food, and cultural celebrations to share learning with their peers. During the day, as all students “traveled” to each country to learn more, they took home a small artifact representing the country they studied—bringing a tangible piece of global culture with them.

In the evening, the celebration continued in the gym with an exciting school-wide showcase featuring cultural stations from around the world and student presentations of their grade-level projects. Each grade station shared fun facts about its featured country and offered either a sample of traditional food or an interactive cultural activity. Guests also participated in fun and educational games like Guess the Currency and Guess the Music, where a live DJ played international music and attendees guessed the country of origin. Highlights included:

Argentina: Dulce de leche ice cream and wafers
South Korea: Dak-Kkochi (grilled chicken skewers with Korean BBQ glaze)
Ireland: Irish potato candy with cinnamon coconut cream
India: Naan with butter sauce
Mexico: Pupusas (black bean & cheese and bean in flour tortillas)
Puerto Rico: Create-your-own maracas station
Egypt: Karkade (hibiscus tea)

“Our International Day is a wonderful way to build cultural awareness and engagement across our school and community,” says Tetre Jackson, FES Principal. “Kaleidoscope II was joyful and engaging, reflecting our school’s dedication to fostering global awareness and cultural appreciation in every student.

Govans Elementary: Celebrating Four Years of Unity 

On May 17, Govans Elementary School proudly hosted its Fourth Annual International Day—a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural tapestry that defines the school community. It’s an  event to recognize and celebrate the many cultures and heritages in the GES school community and has grown in energy and scope each year. With nearly 500 attendees, including GES alumni and prospective students and neighborhood families, 2025 was no exception.

GES’s program is a passport-inspired adventure with each visitor first taking a passport photo for a pretend passport, which they decorated at the “passport creation station.” They were then ready to “travel” to the 13 countries included in the 2025 GES International Day: Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, South Africa, China, the Philippines, Nigeria, Samoa, Mexico, Laos, Black American Heritage, and Senegal. 

GES families and staff hosted the country’s tents, bringing the culture and traditions to life with food/drinks, special arts and crafts and artifacts, traditional dress, and posters and graphics from their countries that shared facts. Additional festivities included a deejay, African drummers, face painting, a photobooth, lemon sticks, hydration station and more. 

“It is truly amazing how much pride and positive regard they have towards the places they came from,” says Samantha Haas St. Germain, GES School School Counselor, who oversees International Day in collaboration with the school’s Climate and Equity Committee and community partners. “It was awesome to see our students get to experience it firsthand. This day is truly a collaborative event that takes so many different people and groups to pull off. We are so grateful to everyone that participates in any way to make it so special!”

Wolfe Street Academy: Latin Rhythms on the Playground

Also on May 17, Wolfe Street Academy brought its International Day outdoors—onto the playground—creating a festive atmosphere filled with music, aromas, and learning. Families enthusiastically hosted tables celebrating a wide range of cultures, particularly Latin America, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Each table invited visitors to experience traditional foods, hands-on crafts, music, and games, all designed to immerse students and families in the heart of each culture.

In an effort to broaden representation, staff were encouraged to join the celebration by sharing their own cultural backgrounds. Participants had the opportunity to decorate tables, prepare bite-sized traditional foods, create art projects, and display music or heritage games, all supported by materials provided by the school. This collaborative spirit emphasized Wolfe Street’s commitment to honoring the deep diversity of its community, inviting everyone to teach and learn in a joyful exchange of traditions.

Hampstead Hill Academy: A Multicultural Celebration – May 22

On May 22, Hampstead Hill Academy hosted its annual Multicultural Day, continuing the spirit of inclusivity and learning. Families enjoyed food and craft stations divided by continents: North America, Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. 

Performances of cultural traditions of the continents included an African dance company, a Folclore Latino group, and a lion dance group celebrating Asian traditions. Members of the Hampstead Hill Academy Orchestra also performed.

Like the other BCP schools, HHA encourages participation through food, music, storytelling, and cultural displays, helping students see the value and beauty of every heritage represented in their classrooms.

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