WDMCS Welcoming Week
Sept. 11-15
Monday: "Happy in Your Skin" Book Talk
The West Des Moines Public Library is hosting a book talk about "Happy in Your Skin: Is Rafa Different?," Erlin's award-winning debut children's book. An Amazon best-seller, this book is based on closing the literature gap and the lack of stories from certain cultural backgrounds. Erlin writes:
"Why is my skin color different? This was the question my preschooler asked me.
While it was a shock and hard to process at the moment for me, I knew I needed to help my child navigate through these feelings and curiosities about his identity.
"Happy in Your Skin" Book Talk with Erlin Kakkanad
Monday, Sept. 11
4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
West Des Moines Public Library (see map/directions)
Tuesday: "What We Can Learn from Kids About Race and Inclusion"
Join us in this inspiring talk, "What We Can Learn from Kids about Race and Inclusion: Nurturing Cultural Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Unleashing Children's Creative Genius," as we explore actionable steps to enhance representation, exposure, and cultural understanding among children while addressing equity and bias.
By fostering an environment where children feel proud of their identity, we can empower them to embrace diversity and develop social-emotional intelligence. We will delve into the importance of the learning zone, social-emotional intelligence, and nurturing creative genius. Parents and Educators play a crucial role in this process, both as teachers and as learners at home and in the classroom. By prioritizing social and emotional development alongside traditional academics, we can shape a future where every child thrives in the comfort of their own skin.
What We Can Learn from Kids about Race and Inclusion
Tuesday, Sept. 12
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Learning Resource Center (see map/directions)
Friday: Culture Day
Culture Day is a dress-up day of cultural pride where students and staff are encouraged to wear their cultural clothes and showcase their heritage without judgment.
When participating in Culture Day, please remember WDMCS' policy on Student Dress and Appearance. Read the policy in our handbooks. >
When is Culture Day?
Friday, Sept. 15
Culture Day was initiated by Valley High School's Refugee and Immigrant Student Embassy (RISE) student group.
Try a New Food
In partnership with the district's Nutrition department, students will be able to 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 Valley High School's Refugee and Immigrant Student Embassy (RISE) created a playlist of music representing their countries of origin. You can find this playlist on Spotify.
Read New Books
High School
- "We are Displaced" by Malala Yousafzai
- "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah
- "Of Beetles and Angels" by Selamawi Asgedom
- "What is the What" by Valentino Achak Deng and Dave Eggers
Late Elementary to Junior High
- "When Stars are Scattered" by Omar Mohamed
- "Escape from Aleppo" by NH Senzai
- "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai
- "The Only Road" by Alexandra Diaz
Elementary
- "Bilal Cooks Daal" by Aisha Saeed
- "Four Feet, Two Sandals" by Khadra Mohammed
- "Saffron Ice Cream" by Rashin Kheiriyeh
- "Happy in Your Skin: Is Rafa Different?" by Erlin Kakkanad
All books are part of the WDMCS library collections.