District to celebrate schools’ countries, cultures and customs in 2024 Festival of Nations March 7

The North Syracuse Central School District will proudly celebrate the unique cultures, customs and backgrounds of its diverse student and staff population at their 2024 Festival of Nations on March 7. The event will take place at Cicero-North Syracuse (CNS) High School from 5 to 7 PM and will kick off with a special flag raising ceremony. The school’s Human Rights Committee has been working to obtain flags representing all countries of origin for the entire student population. All eleven of the district’s schools will be represented at the annual multicultural celebration. 

David Lunden is the director in charge of the district’s English as a New Language (ENL) program and has been working with CNS Principal Kim Rice to organize the event. Over the course of the past two decades, the district’s population of English Language Learners (ELLs) has grown from just 25 students to now more than 300. Additionally, more than 25 different primary languages are represented in NSCSD families. 

More than 25 countries will be represented at the March 7 event. Students from all grade levels will provide displays representing various countries and cultural traditions. A Native American Dance Troupe will perform a traditional smoke dance and facilitate hands-on instrument demonstrations. Additional dancers and musicians will perform and showcase the different music and dance traditions represented in the NSCSD population. Food from all over the world will be featured for sampling and there will be poetry readings.   

David Lunden commented on the festival saying, “This event gives our students the chance to highlight their cultural uniqueness and the district the chance to explore the diversity that makes up our population. We are fortunate that we have the ability for others to learn about the various cultures and backgrounds that make us one of the most culturally diverse populations in the area.”