Passport to the World

Passport to the World – an event that encompasses the entire school – takes place annually. The Saint Mark’s community – students, parents, teachers and staff – all turn out to spend the day celebrating the country or culture/s that are the focus for the year. Countries selected are based on a wish to celebrate all the students and families represented in the school, as well as an effort to enrich and supplement the social studies curriculum.

In the weeks leading up to Passport Day, learning preparation goes on in morning assemblies, in information displayed around the school and in classroom lessons. The learning process is enthusiastically supported by the school librarian, who ensures that plenty of relevant material is available each year.

Our annual Passport Day began in 2001, and we have thus far celebrated Passport to the World (an overview of the continents), Africa, Central America and the Caribbean, India, China and the Middle East. In 2007 we plan to focus on Native America.

As the day progresses, the students rotate through a multitude of experiences including informative presentations, often from natives to the culture; crafts; physical activities; and indigenous foods, which they share in a picnic setting on the lawn. The day culminates in entertainment in the gym, usually including storytellers and performers.

Passport Day is an opportunity for every member of our community to be involved: families contribute artifacts, invite grandparents and members of their own communities to share experiences, help prepare meals and stay to be part of the culminating celebration. It is a day when learning about each other is both meaningful and tremendous fun.