Diwali - Weaving Connections at EDS

Connecting Through Shared Learning 

Diwali and the Cultural Tapestry of Episcopal Day

By: Roxy Nielsen (Director of DEIB & Associate Director of Enrollment) & Brandon Kraft (Associate Head of School for Academics)

At Episcopal Day we are fortunate to have many cultures represented in our community. As an Episcopal school grounded in inclusion and inquiry, we intentionally celebrate and learn about holidays that our students celebrate, while also giving students the tools to understand different identities and cultures. We know that building a deep sense of belonging in community does not happen accidentally; it happens through purposeful education and celebration.  

This week as a community we celebrated Diwali. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated in India and by Indian communities worldwide. It usually falls between October and November, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. 

In Chapel on Monday, middle school students presented about Diwali and how they celebrate with their families. Students shared the significance of the holiday, traditional wear, and foods that are enjoyed. On Tuesday, middle school students gathered for an assembly led by students dressed in traditional Indian attire. They shared the significance of rangolis, a colorful decorative art form typically created on the ground, usually at the entrance of homes during festivals in India, especially during Diwali. Made with various materials like colored powders, rice, flour, or flower petals, rangoli designs can be intricate and vibrant, often featuring geometric patterns, flowers, or traditional motifs. Students shared that a rangoli is meant to welcome guests, bringing good luck and prosperity. After the presentation students all had the opportunity to create their own rangoli using colored pencils and watercolors. Be sure to stop by JBH in the next few weeks to take a look at the beautiful colorful display. Lower school students will enjoy presentations given by families who celebrate Diwali this week and next in their homerooms, in addition to engaging in a cultural art project.

A community that understands, respects, and celebrates different cultures is also built through understanding others’ perspectives. This is a key competency that we build throughout our school. This happens through purposefully built lessons. For instance, in second grade, fifth, and sixth grade, students are learning about elections. In second grade, students are learning to advocate for a cause, in this case the theme for spirit day, and to understand the importance of voting. Central to this activity is questioning and learning about someone’s differing perspective for choosing one theme over another. 

In fifth grade and sixth grades, students are using their knowledge of ancient democratic structures to develop perspectives on contemporary ballot initiatives in California and current voting structures in the United States. Key to this work is understanding the multiple facets underlying each initiative and the centrality of people’s voices in influencing outcomes. These perspective taking activities help students to develop agency, navigate complexity, and to bring the “long ago” to the contemporary.

In another example, in eighth grade English, students are finishing reading A Long Way Down. This book follows a young black man’s choices following the death of his brother due to systemic gun violence. One of the themes of the book examines vengeance versus justice. To understand the perspective of the protagonist, students studied the author, Jason Reynolds, and examined statistics on gun violence from different US cities. Students deconstructed a rap song by Queen Latifa to explore the tension people can feel between having pride in community and while also holding awareness of its danger. These activities helped students develop their skills in perspective taking, while also heightening their skills of reading verse and analytical writing.

At Episcopal Day School, our commitment to inclusivity and cultural appreciation is central to our mission. This happens through celebration and classroom instruction.  As we continue to explore various cultures and perspectives throughout the year, we cultivate an environment where students learn to respect and celebrate differences, nurturing their identities, and understanding different perspectives. By bridging the past with the present, we prepare our students to become thoughtful, informed citizens who can contribute positively to our ever-evolving world.