Celebrating+Our+Cultures

=SLACKWOOD SCHOOL EMBRACES ITS MANY CULTURES=

Slackwood School students and families come from countries all over the globe. The Eagles Program is an after-school program that is designed for students whose parents are not native English speakers to obtain homework help, practice using their English-speaking skills with other students and staff, and socialize with other children while practicing speaking English. Staff members assist students with their homework and provide academic enrichment geared to assisting students with their individual needs for academic success. In addition, parents and students participate in an annual pot-luck dinner to share with all families food from their native countries. The Eagles Program is available at no cost to parents. Students attend the program three days/week from October-May after school. Not only does the Eagles program assist students and families of Slackwood School, but it encourages students to give back to others. One program initiated by the Eagles is a program to build a well in India to provide clean drinking water in a village that did not have clean water before the well was built. The well was built by "Drinking Water for India." The Eagles also collected items for families affected by Hurricane Sandy, a storm that devastated families along the New Jersey coastline in late October, 2012. Slackwood students learn to respect others from many cultures in various activities at school and in their classrooms. The second grade Social Studies curriculum gives each student the opportunity to present a Heritage Report about their family's countries of origin. Students learn about countries all over the world. Families participate by sharing food from their cultures, which students and teachers enjoy. Students learn about respect and tolerance in Guidance lessons throughout the school year, and practice these along with their Pillars of Character throughout the year.