Third annual Title 3 Family Information Night a celebration of student culture

Students, families, Title 3 staff, and library staff and patrons got a taste of the varied cultures right here in Manchester at the Title 3 Family Information Night on Feb. 22. Photo courtesy Melissa Yekulis.

Submitted by Melissa Yekulis

On Thursday, February 22, Manchester Community School’s Title 3 Team collaborated with the Manchester District Library’s incredible staff to host the third annual Title 3 Family Information Night. Families were greeted at the library with a large hanging display of the flags representing each of the students’ home countries.

During the evening, library patrons and families were treated to poster presentations designed by the Title 3 students that featured their home countries. The presentations included information about their schools, their culture, and their homes. Students shared their lives through personal photos, food, music, and dance.

Student presenters included: Mufikha Abdurizeva (Uzbekistan), Nayelli Baron (Mexico), Andrea Camara Martinez (Germany), Eline Dumont (Belgium), Anthony Gemler (Hungary), Julia Grataco Jodar (Spain), Andrea Mendoza (Mexico), Morris Pengel (Netherlands), and Ellis Stapelfeldt (Germany).

WISD Title 3 Coordinator of Newcomer Supports Puja Mullins shared information with families about mental health resources in the area. New high school social studies and Shakespeare curricula for the Title 3 students that were purchased through a grant graciously funded by a Manchester Community Schools Foundation Grant were also shared with the families.

As the festive night concluded, families came together in community to enjoy hot chocolate and hot apple cider. They even had the opportunity to decorate cookies in the pattern of the flags of the countries represented that evening.

Title 3 is a federally funded program for grade-school children. It provides resources for the children of families who speak more than one language in the home to be successful in the classroom and beyond.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.