Foxborough Elementary highlights cultural-heritage assemblies during Native American Heritage Month

Morgan Tate, vice principal at Foxborough Elementary, said the school holds recurring cultural assemblies that reflect its diverse student body and provide background knowledge before performances and presentations. “Here at Foxborough Elementary, we have a very diverse community. We have over 17 countries represented,” Tate said.

Tate listed assemblies for Black History Month, Pacific Islander celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Month and a Latin American assembly in which students presented countries and cultural traditions. During Native American Heritage Month, Tate said students learned specifically about Utah’s indigenous tribes, including the Skull Valley Goshute and their historical presence in Tooele County.

Teachers prepare students in advance so they have context for assemblies, Tate said: “Our teachers here at Foxborough are amazing. They send out information and ideas to help teach the students on various levels. So then when they come to our assembly, they are having that background knowledge to rely on.”

Students who spoke during the presentation described aspects of the lessons. One student described turquoise jewelry and another explained that some tribal housing was portable, allowing families to move when needed. Tate described a visiting performer, hoop dancer Terry Godel, as “one of my very favorite assemblies that we have,” and said the hoop dance was presented as a storytelling tradition tied to the circle of life.

Tate framed the events as part of the school’s effort to help students “realize that we all have culture, we all have traditions,” and to foster a sense of belonging: “No matter where you come from or what you look like or how you speak, you are an important part of our Foxborough community.”

The presentation was descriptive and informational; no formal actions, policy changes or funding decisions were recorded in the transcript.