Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Students excitedly walked from one booth to another trying new foods, exploring games and learning about different cultures during Memorial Middle School’s (MMS) fourth annual International Day on Jan. 6. 

More than 20 countries were represented during the event, which aimed to provide students with enriching experiences. Through music, games, cultural attire, food and even special performances, students learned firsthand about the various countries and cultures present in the MMS community. 

“We live in such a diverse community and International Day is a great opportunity for us to understand each other better,” said Gabriela Arreola, PTA member and event volunteer. “The students are having fun, but also learning how our diversity makes us special.” 

MMS’s PTA organizes International Day. The group has been hard at work since the school year began recruiting parents and community members to represent different countries in the event. Teachers and staff also participated by volunteering in the booths and immersing students in new cultures and traditions. 

“It has been amazing getting to know and seeing all the different cultures that live within our school,” said Ashton Moreau-Monier, teacher at MMS. “International Day helps our students build a stronger sense of identity and feel understood and supported.” 

Students were an important part of the event. They volunteered by making trifolds about a country of interest and some even dressed in cultural attire and performed for their fellow classmates. 

“This is the best day ever!” said Rianna, a sixth grade student at MMS. “I’ve tried many new foods I didn’t even know existed. It has been great to learn what makes each one of us special.” 

International Day helps students develop their Core Characteristics, as it gives them the tools to be Empathetic and Self-Aware and always understand and respect the feelings, opinions, experiences, culture and traditions of others to seek common ground. 

“International Day is the most important activity we have at MMS,” said Ellen Green, MMS principal. “We want everyone who attends or visits MMS to feel welcomed and that they belong here. We want students to remember that while we may be different and come from different corners of the world, the same sun sets MMS orange over all our lands.” 

During the event, students tasted authentic foods including pierogi, a traditional food in Poland, and Choco Pies, a dessert from South Korea, played lotería, a Hispanic card game similar to bingo, and even had the opportunity to get their hands painted with henna, a dye originating from Asian and African countries. 

PTA members and International Day co-chairs included Ivette Chapman and Ana Franco. 

Franco notes that organizing the event is a lot of work for all, but it’s all worth it when she sees how happy students are to learn about the diversity at MMS. 

“It is no secret that we have a very diverse community, we speak more than 50 different languages!” added Franco. “I am grateful to everyone who made this possible, including our principal, the teachers and staff, the PTA, and all volunteers who took part in International Day. You all allowed our families to share a glimpse of their backgrounds and how we are better together.” 

See how MMS celebrated International Day!