Chestnut Ridge Elementary students assembled in the cafeteria recently for a special learning experience. They were invited to board CRS Airways flight 2023 where they buckled up for an exciting excursion to Algeria, Cameroon, China, Congo, Honduras and more – 13 countries in all – before disembarking safe and sound back at school. The virtual trip was planned by English as a New Language (ENL) teacher Kari Shirk, with 30 of her students acting as tour guides.

“The diversity of our school community is something to be celebrated,” said Shirk. “This is a great way to give my students a chance to shine, and for our other students to see how big and glorious the world is.”

Each ENL student presented an interesting fact about their home country, like special foods or holidays. Some shared flags, holiday customs or famous landmarks. Many wore traditional clothing or spoke briefly in their native language. Although nervous to be in front of the entire school body, each guide was proud to offer their peers a snapshot of their own family culture.

CRS Principal Kimberly Hale said, “Activities like this are part of our district’s goal to celebrate diversity throughout our schools. Learning more about each other is an important step in providing a welcoming environment at CRS for all of our students.”