Welcoming Week
Where We Belong
September 12-16, 2022
What is Welcoming Week?
West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) is excited to participate in a nationwide program called Welcoming Week. We join thousands of other organizations across the country to bring together families of all backgrounds and create a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Learn more about this initiative at welcomingamerica.org
Kick-Off to Welcoming Week: RISE Mural Reception
RISE Mural Reception
Join us as we officially "unveil" and celebrate the completion of a mural created at Valley High School. Artist Jill Wells captured the ideas of students from the Refugee and Immigrant Student Embassy (RISE) group. Wells then created the 18' x 13' mural over the summer.
Enter Valley High School through the west doors off of 39th St.
EVENT DETAILS
5 p.m. — meet and greet
5:30 p.m. — speakers, including RISE students, the artists, and district staff
Karam's Grill food truck will be on site for guests to purchase Mediterranean food. This event is intended to help promote Welcoming Week, Sept. 12-16, 2022.
Tue, Sep 6, 2022, 05:00 PM
Valley High School, Woodland Avenue, West Des Moines, IA, USA
Events Sept. 12-16, 2022
Experience New Foods
In partnership with the district's Nutrition department, students can choose to try food from all around the world.
Ask your student each night if they tried something new!
- Monday — African plantains
- Tuesday — Latin American Yuca fries
- Wednesday — Middle Eastern roasted red pepper hummus
- Thursday — Southeast Asian sautéed bok choy
- Friday — Indian curried roasted carrots
Listen to New Music
Students from RISE created a playlist of music representing their countries of origin. You can find this playlist on Spotify.
Watch an Impactful Documentary
Thursday, Sept. 15
6:30 p.m.
Indian Hills Junior High School
Please note: While this documentary is not rated, we encourage families to consider this similar to a PG-13 rating. Some material may not be appropriate for children.
Culture Day
Culture Day was initiated by the RISE student group. It is a dress-up day of cultural pride where students are encouraged to wear their cultural clothes and showcase their heritage without judgment.
When is Culture Day?
Friday, Sept. 16
Recommended Reading
Elementary
"Eyes That Kiss in the Corners"
by Joanna Ho
"The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family"
by Ibtihaj Muhammad
"Lety Out Loud: A Wish Novel"
by Angela Cervantes
Secondary
"When Stars Are Scattered"
by Omar Mohamed & Victoria Jamieson
"Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard"
by Mawi Asgedom
"We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World"
by Malala Yousafzai