Middle schoolers showcase Cultural Connections club in school spotlight
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Summary
High/Heim Middle School staff and students presented the Cultural Connections club, a DEI-originated program that brings middle-school students into elementary classrooms for monthly read-alouds and cultural exchanges; presenters said the program is in year three of a four-year rotation.
The board heard a school spotlight on the Cultural Connections club, introduced by Dr. Balen, assistant superintendent for instruction, who named principal Adam Buffamante and advisors Stephanie Calhoun and Laura Lukasic to present.
Presenters described a two-part program: monthly homeroom read-alouds tied to a four-year rotation of celebrations and awareness months, followed by middle-school students visiting elementary classrooms to read, show age-appropriate videos and lead discussion. "We're currently in year 3 of that 4 year rotation at High Middle," one presenter said.
Advisors and student participants described the program's effects on both age groups: middle-school students reported feeling energized by teaching, while elementary students were described as "fully engaged" and retaining the visits years later. One student said representation matters and that seeing "a reflection of their culture" in classroom materials "makes me proud." Presenters said a parent representative on the district's DEI committee originally proposed using the two schools on the same campus to connect middle and elementary learners.
The board received the spotlight as informational; no action was taken.
