3 May 2002
Class Activities, Scholarship Program,Cable Broadcast Bring Cultural Awareness
DALLAS–A supplemental curriculum has been issued to teachers in the Dallas Independent School District as a resource guide to enhance the cultural awareness of students during the districtwide observance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May.
Designed by the DISD Multicultural Education department, the curriculum provides teachers with daily activities that expose students to the rich storytelling traditions of Asian Pacific culture and its impact on building character, good citizenship and academic achievement.
With the national theme Emerging Together, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is one of several cultural awareness months observed by DISD, said Clarence Glover, DISD multicultural education executive director
."As with all cultures, Asian Pacific Americans are an integral part of the fabric of our American experience–past, present and future," Glover said. "Asian Pacific American Heritage Month allows the district the opportunity to focus on the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans."
By teaching about the diverse cultures of the student population, the district cultivates tolerance and acceptance while introducing values and traditions that are fundamental for self growth and society's cohesiveness.
As students learn more about the Asian Pacific heritage, Glover said, they will discover aspects of the culture that will benefit them on a personal level as well as the communities in which they live.
"Asian Pacific Americans' commitment to education serves as a model for all Americans," Glover said. "Their commitment to education grows out of their expectations for young people to achieve and maintain personal and cultural integrity."
DISD Asian Pacific American students' commitment was evident at the recent Asian American Advisory Committee Scholarship Awards Program. The annual event is the first districtwide activity leading to Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
For making the A honor roll, 122 high school students received recognition at the scholarship program held April 23 at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center.
Also, the district's advisory committee awarded 10 seniors scholarships ranging from $350 to $600. The students were selected based on their academic achievement, community involvement, college entrance exam scores and extracurricular activities.
The recipients of the Asian American Scholarship Awards are: Joseph Dang, W.T. White High; Long Hoang, North Dallas High; Samout Ketavong, School of Education & Social Services at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center; Hoa-ly Nguyen, North Dallas High; Huong Nguyen, Skyline High; Uyen Nguyen, Bryan Adams High; Vu Nguyen, North Dallas High; Bach Van Pham, North Dallas High; Lap Pham, Skyline High; Truc Tran, Skyline High.
Another district-sponsored activity scheduled in May for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is the airing of Asian Treasure Bag of Folk Tales on Dallas Schools TV. The program takes viewers into the world of ancient Asian folktales and contemporary Asian-American performances. It is scheduled to be broadcast on cable channel 12B on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through May 20. Asian Treasure Bag of Folk Tales airs at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on all three days.
Besides the district events, some schools have planned activities to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. North Dallas High School has organized an Asian Day on Thursday, May 9, with a program scheduled at 2:30 p.m. in the auditorium. The program will include performances by the North Dallas Dragon Dancers, Vietnamese Flower Dancers and the Martial Arts Team. The school is located at 3120 N. Haskell Avenue. At S.C. Foster Elementary, students will be entertained by the Chin Woo Lion Dancers at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 13. Foster is located 3700 Clover Lane. Flags from Vietnam, China, India, Japan and Cambodia will be on display from May 13-17 at David G. Burnet Elementary. Also, students will learn about the customs of those countries. The school is located 3200 Kinkaid.
For more news and information about the Dallas Independent School District, visit www.dallasisd.org.