Johnson Elementary kindergartners through second graders left the classroom on a beautiful spring morning to take a virtual trip around the world.

 

In reality, they only traveled next store to Bridgeport High School, but inside they visited stations featuring facts, food and artifacts of France, Belgium, Spain, Mexico and other countries. The young students were enthusiastic to learn about lands across the globe, sampling their foods, singing their music and other fun interactive activities.

 

Elizabeth Spagnolo was pretty excited about her visit.

 

“I liked France the best because their city has the tallest tower in the world and when I was asking questions about it, I got to wear the hat the guy had,” said the second grader. “Their food is very good and I hear on TV that France is the country where you find love.”

Her friend Maria Lewis also was intrigued by Paris, especially the Eiffel Tower and the croissants.

 

“My mom and I have been talking about going to France maybe in two years or so and now I’m really excited about that,” she said.

Patrick Hammond was partial to Mexico – the maracas and sombreros making a particular impression – and Emma Hansberry though the Spanish culture was the most interesting.

 

BHS Spanish teacher Jenny Santilli said the international fair – held Friday morning at the BHS cafeteria - is an idea that has been in the making for a couple of years. For several years, BHS has hosted a similar, yet larger, event in the fall, held during the evening and open to parents and other guests. Johnson Elementary School ELL (English Language Learner) educator has been interested in involving her students – who are learning English in addition to their native language – in an interactive event with BHS. Santilli said her students held a fundraiser this year for a separate service project and had funds left over. Mariah Boyce, president of the Spanish club, suggested they use those dollars to host an international fair for the elementary students.

 

“The children have been wanting to come over and do something with the high schoolers and I thought it would be nice to educate them on different parts of the world with a lot of fun activities,” Boyce said. “They learned songs and all about flamenco dancing and got to try foods from different places – like croissants from France and flan (a baked caramel custard dessert) from Mexico.”

 

Members of BHS French and Spanish clubs served as ambassadors, teaching the young students and stamping their “passports” at each stop.

 

French club member Tori McDaniel said it was a great experience and it has made her even more excited about her trip to Europe this coming summer with Madame Deanna Garrett and fellow French students.

 

Boyce said she is quite pleased with how the event turned out.

 

Morgan was too. She said it was an ideal learning experience.

 

“Johnson Elementary has the highest population of ELL in the whole county and it’s really neat for them to see other kids like them and for kids who don’t have an “L” in their class, they need to start learning that the world is bigger than Bridgeport,” she said. “This was a fun, interactive way and we have such a good connection with the high school.”

 

There is already consideration of doubling the event in size next year and involving the entire elementary school.

 

With more BHS ambassadors and possibly even a larger venue, Santilli said she believes that can happen. 

 

See more images from Friday's international fair at the gallery link below.