More than 300 families did just that at Birney Elementary’s Passport to Adventure International Festival held earlier this summer. This annual free event allows families and the larger University Heights community the chance to connect with Birney's International Baccalaureate program by experiencing the cultures of nations from around the globe. Each grade level researched a different country and presented a native food, craft, and game. This year, the countries represented were Egypt, Bangladesh, Guatemala, Armenia, Benin, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
"It’s an opportunity for students to experience first-hand the benefits of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile,” said Birney parent and event organizer Dawn Martin. “Specifically, they learned to be open-minded about other cultures; and they were encouraged to be risk-takers to try a food, a game, and a craft from six different countries. As they learn about different areas of the world, we hope that they will continue to be inquirers about the world around them."
Educators and entertainers performed on a central stage throughout the day. Presentations included visits from animals from around the world, a drum circle, and circus performances. Families enjoyed concessions and game booths, such as tie-dye, an internationally-themed scavenger hunt, and the ever-popular dunk tank manned by Birney staff and teachers.
The Passport to Adventure Festival is a great representation of Birney’s motto of “Think globally, learn locally,” and highlights its strengths as an International Studies magnet and IB World School.
For more information about Birney Elementary, please contact the principal at Amanda Hammond-Williams at 619-497-3500.
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