Grade 8 students at William C. Winegard PS celebrate diversity
February 26, 2019
GUELPH, Ontario – Students in Ms. Barbour’s grade 8 class at William C. Winegard Public School celebrated Diversity Day in their classroom on February 26.
The idea of Diversity Day started as a day to talk about self-identity, connections, global understanding and so much more. Students in Ms. Barbour’s class were involved in all aspects of the day including planning, inviting guests and organizing the day.
The event started with students greeting guests and offering them tea. Once everyone arrived, Mia honoured the land and territory.
Earlier this year, students created video rants as part of a class project. Students presented a montage featuring some of the rants. Rants were about a variety of topics that students feel passionate about including a need to stop vaping, ending abuse in foster homes, ending racism, the importance of walking to school and more.
Before the guest speakers were introduced, the entire class performed an original song to honour diversity and serve as a touching tribute to the late Dr. William Winegard, the school’s namesake.
Students and staff heard from a number of guest speakers, all of whom were the parent or grandparent of a student in the class. Speakers Bushra Arif, Nelsa Mongato, Sara Raheemi, Amra Zuzic, Joseph Solomon and Angela Giovinazzo, spoke to the students about their lives before immigrating to Canada and their transition into Canadian culture.
The event ended with students, staff and guests sitting down together for a potluck lunch. Food items were brought in by students and parents and really helped to showcase how diverse the class is.