On Tuesday after school, North Ridge Elementary invited families and the community to join in a night of cultural celebration. With over 70 families in attendance, the event featured activities and food that highlighted the diverse cultures represented at North Ridge. 

Jacqueline Parrott, a Fifth Grade Teacher at North Ridge, shared that the goal of the event was to highlight the diverse cultures within the school and community. North Ridge families represent cultures from across the globe, including Kenya, Brazil, the Philippines, Cameroon, and many more. 

“We decided to host this event at North Ridge because we wanted to show our families how special our school is and to bridge the gap between our school and families,” said Parrott. “We wanted to celebrate all of these cultures and give our families the opportunity to learn more about it together.” 

At Culture Night, cultural art decorated the halls and featured two traditional dance performances by the 2nd grade class. Families took part in hands-on activities, creating animal masks with the Texas Tech International Cultural Center and playing soccer alongside the Lubbock Matadors soccer team. The evening also featured STEM-based activities that seamlessly blended technology with cultural exploration. 

Families prepared and served traditional dishes from their cultures all around the world. At the event, North Ridge debuted their community cookbook made up of recipes from their families and featured several traditional dishes.

“Events like this enhance our school because it creates a sense of togetherness and pride,” said Parrott. “Our students and families were excited to teach everyone that came. North Ridge is truly one big family, and events like this strengthen that sense of family we already have.” 

The event was a huge success, thanks to the incredible North Ridge staff and community members who volunteered to make it happen. It also provided a unique opportunity to bridge the gap with families who may be more reserved, allowing them to see teachers in a different light beyond their daily roles in the classroom.