Peralta Elementary School» Diversity-Unity

The Annual Peralta Community Celebration & Potluck Party—the Diversity Dinner is coming!

lcounts — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:59:40 +0000

Save the date: Saturday, Nov. 5th, from 4 to 8; in the multipurpose room.

Don’t miss this FREE joyful celebration of everyone who is part of the Peralta family!

Incredible food from all over the world. Bring your dish to share.
Live performances.
DJ DelicaTess’n will be spinning dance tunes. Email her your song requests tessunger_at_yahoo.com
Your whole family—kids, extended family, friends and neighbors are welcome.

We need your help to make it all happen. To volunteer, contact Nancy Kaufman-Cohen (510) 595-6636 kaufmancohen_at_juno.com. Look for her at morning dropoff.

Share the Bounty Food Drive

Support the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Look for barrels in the courtyard.

Most needed foods: Canned Fruit & Vegetables • Canned Meats and Fish • Peanut Butter • Pasta • Beans • Rice • Canned Soup (low-salt) • Low-sugar Cereal and Oatmeal • Tomato Sauce • Powdered Milk

Change Reaction for Japan

lcounts — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:41:16 +0000

While we are facing serious budget woes locally and nationally, Japanese citizens are still reeling from the triple disaster of the earthquake, tsunami, and malfunction of the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant. Their unknowns are about the basics — the health and safety of their people as well as that of their air, water, and food supply. Help for immediate relief is still needed before recovery and rebuilding can begin.

We are asking you to help your children collect pennies and bring spare change to school. (To answer the question of one of Ms Thomas’ students, yes half dollars are welcome.) There will be marked cans in every classroom as well as in the library from now until May 6th. We will give the money the students collect to Give2Asia,* a philanthropy with relationships with organizations in Japan involved in direct relief and recovery. Small coins, like small actions, can build and create new and bigger efforts. Last year, we were able to turn pocket change into over $600 for relief efforts in Haiti. Let’s be equally reactive this year!

Thanks for all you are doing to respond to needs locally and abroad and for helping our students develop a sense of service to our global community.

With appreciation,
Anne Aronov, Marjorie Stamper-Kurn, and the rest of Peralta’s Diversity/Unity Committee

*For more information about Give2Asia, see attachment or go to http://www.give2asia.org/japantsunami-2011

“I” is for individuality and “C” is for Community, When we come together in the places we live….Oh oh oh oh.

lcounts — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:03:25 +0000

The D-U Dance Party

Dear Peralta Community,

I don’t know about you, but I can’t stop humming those words from the 5th graders’ performance of the Mosaic Project song or visualizing those kids with their fists in the air singing in Spanish about working for peace. Los ninos are ‘el futuro’. Those kids give me hope for the future, and they inspire me now. I am proud of them, and I’m proud of us all for taking some time out from our jobs, our worries, our commitments, and yes, even our passion for soccer to come together in the place where we live. (“oh oh oh oh”)

I want to send a multi-lingual thank you to the whole community for making the Diversity-Unity Committee’s 2010 Diversity Dinner such a multi-sensory, multi-cultural, multi-generational success. As was the case last year, I found that one language does not express sufficiently the gratitude I feel and the thanks that are in order. So….

Gracias to all those who attended Saturday’s dinner with good spirits and good appetites.

Arigato to those who brought dishes from their heritage, their family cookbooks, or their favorite take out spots.

Xie xie to those of you who shared your bounty even further by dropping canned goods in the food drive bins and/or who signed up for the meal train.

Shukran to those of you who haven’t yet but will participate in the meal train and food drive over the next few days.

Danke to the dozens of volunteers who helped set up, welcome, serve, guard, craft and clean.

Toda to those who donated or acquired donations of furniture, heat lamps, or coffee (or all of the above ala Sonia Perez )

Merci to Rosette and Paul who allowed and enabled us to transform the school site into a night cafe/club/wall ball court.

TYSVM to DJ DelicaTess’n aka Tess Unger for taking requests and serving up the platters.

Salamat to the Diversity-Unity Committee and the dinner sub-committee (see below), many of whom put in countless hours of prep work to create such a special night.

Mahalo to the entire Peralta community. I am truly grateful to be part of such a diverse community united in our desire to give all our children the best education possible and in so doing enrich our lives all the more.

I hope you are inspired to seek out more of what the Diversity/Unity Committee does to come together in this place we share. Stay tuned for more community building, advocacy, and education!

With love,

Marjorie Stamper-Kurn

Diversity-Unity Committee Chair

Hey Peralta Deejay…

lcounts — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:20:13 +0000

Just two weeks to go until Peralta’s feel-good event of the season! The 2010 Diversity-Unity Dinner is on Saturday, November 13, from 4-7:30 p.m.

It’s a chance to hang out with your Peralta friends, share a little bit of your family’s culture in the form of some tasty food, and celebrate the amazing diversity we have at our school. It’s exciting to see how many countries are represented on the world map that is posted at the event.

For the past two years, the dance party has been a highlight! This year we’ll add a drum circle as well. Got a song to request? Click on the D-U Dinner image at left, and our own in-house spinmistress (and Peralta mom) DJ DelicaTess’n will add it to the mix!

Got a canopy or a rain/sun shelter to lend? Contact David Montes de Oca at papamontes AT yahoo DOT com, and bring it to Peralta by 3 p.m. Nov. 13.

Got a talent to share? A song to sing, a dance to dance or a magic trick to dazzle? Demarris Evans is lining up entertainment. Contact her at demarris AT sbcglobal DOT net.

Get Ready for the Diversity Dinner: November 13, 4-8 p.m.

lcounts — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:09:09 +0000

Mark your calendars nowâ€”Peraltaâ€™s fabulous Diversity Dinner is coming up fast. This is not a fundraiser, just a fun-tastic party!

The Diversity Dinner is a chance for the entire Peralta community to gather together in celebration of our cultures, to meet new friends and greet the old, and to eat, drink, and be merry. You donâ€™t want to miss it!

Everyone brings a favorite family dish to share. You can burn off the calories at the dance party, presided over by Peraltaâ€™s official DJ, DJÂ DelicaTess’n! Stay tuned for more details on theÂ activities and performances that we’ll throwÂ into theÂ mix too.

EVERYONE is invited to come out and share whatever culture they identify with–or just come and enjoy.

When: Saturday, November 13, 2010

Where: Peralta Elementary School Multipurpose Room

Time: 4-8 pm (stay posted for time confirmationâ€”exact time to be confirmed!)

Who: This is a family event–children, extended family, and neighbors welcome

Join Us for a Discussion on Children and Gender Stereotypes

lcounts — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:53:48 +0000

Thursday, March 11th, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Peralta Multi-Purpose Room

Peraltaâ€™s Diversity-Unity Committee invites you to join us for this important discussion facilitated by Second Step teacher Susan Killebrew and staff from the nonprofit Our Family Coalition.

In a recent survey, more than 50% of Peralta’s 4th and 5th grade students reported witnessing or experiencing teasing based on gender stereotypes. This discussion will go way beyond pink and blue, dolls and balls: This in Gender Stereotyping 4.0. You may come away with a new view on gender identity. You’ll also learn about some great children’s literature on the subject.Â Come talk about how we can help make Peralta a more welcoming school for all children.

Pizza and childcare will be provided.
Door prizes: Win a free childrenâ€™s book!

Give a Gift of Loving Meals from Our Peralta Community

lcounts — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:39:03 +0000

Perhaps you already have your copy of the Peralta Diversity-Unity Cookbook. Perhaps you have even cooked a meal or two for special someones using this cookbook. Now is the time to share your secrets (and perhaps they will reciprocate by cooking you a meal or two.)

Also, if you can help to get the cookbooks out to others – ideas are welcome. Marjorie has been visiting Farmers’ Markets and she would love a partner and also welcomes any new ideas on how to get the word out and share with others.

Please contact Marjorie Stamper-Kurn (mstamperkurn AT yahoo DOT com).

Is Your Heart Feeling Two Sizes Too Small? Fix this at the Diversity-Unity Committee Meeting: December 9 | 6:30-8pm

jsummers — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:36:06 +0000

Does December leave you feeling like the Grinch?
Are you too busy to light the kinara?
Does your Hanukkah bush seem to droop?
Do your kids covet their neighbors’ winter rituals?
Do you attend so many winter-time celebrations that you’ve forgotten which one is yours?

Share your experiences with and coping strategies for the December dilemma at the next Diversity-Unity Committee meeting. There will be a brief debrief of the Diversity Dinner, a potluck meal, and a chance to sort out the joys and challenges of the modern day holiday season.

Wednesday, December 9. 6:30-8pm.
RSVP to Marjorie Stamper-Kurn (mstamperkurn AT yahoo DOT com) for details.

Diversity-Unity Dinner | Incredible + Edibles

lcounts — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:38:38 +0000

Gracias to all who attended the Diversity-Unity inner with good spirits and good appetites!

Arigato to those who brought dishes from their heritage, their family cookbooks, or their favorite take-out spots!

Xie xie to those who shared their bounty even further by dropping canned goods in the food drive bins.

Shukran to those of you who haven’t yet but will participate in the food drive by November 20.

Danke to the dozens of volunteers who helped set up, serve, and clean and – Kimberly Read for coordinating the army of helpers.

Toda to those who donated or acquired donations of furniture, heat lamps, or coffee (or all of the above, i.e. Sonia Perez)

Merci to Rosette and Paul who allowed and enabled us to transform the school site into a night cafe/club/wall ball court.

TYSVM to DJ Feline aka Tess Unger for taking requests and spinning all our tunes.

Salamat to the Diversity-Unity Committee and the dinner sub-committee, many of whom put in countless hours of prep work to create such a special night.

Mahalo to the entire Peralta community.

And a very simple, but heartfelt THANK YOU to the Diversity Dinner Committee – Anne Aronov, Trudi Bryant, Demarris Evans, Kira Foster, Nancy Kaufman-Cohen, Lila Lee-Tramiel, Vicki McGuire, Janine Mixon, David Montes de Oca, Sonia Perez, Judy Porat, Kimberly Read, Allana Samuel, Matt Scott, Will Skipwith, Tess Unger, Sepee Zabala, and Marjorie Stamper-Kurn. You really outdid yourselves.

As wonderful as the Diversity Dinner is, it is only part of what the Diversity-Unity Committee does in an effort to build community, educate, and advocate. Look for more of these efforts as the year goes on.

Save the Date: Diversity Unity Dinner November 14| 4-7pm

lcounts — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:30:06 +0000

“Hey DJ, Do You Take Requests?”
“Yeah! Do You Wanna Dance?”

The Peralta Diversity Dinner on November 14, 2009 is Taking Your Music Requests!

Tell What You’d Like To Hear…An Artist; A Favorite Song; or simply A Genre of Music. And the DJs will do their best to make it happen!
…Then Come On Out And Dance!

Submit your request by clicking on the Diversity-Unity Dinner banner.

The Diversity Dinner is Peralta’s major annual non-fundraising event. It is the community’s chance to simply gather together in celebration of our cultures, visiting with new and old friends and best of all – eating! It is truly the night to enjoy all that the Peralta Community has to offer.

Please bring your favorite family dish to share. Bring your boogie shoes for the 2nd annual Dance Party (which was a huge hit last year). There will again be music and an open stage area to strut your stuff. Participate in the “Map the Menu” activity where you can note where in the world your dish hails from. The Diversity-Unity Committee Cookbook will be available for sale, which was published last school year and includes recipes from previous Diversity-Unity Dinners. All proceeds go to the PPTG.

EVERYONE is invited to come out and share whatever culture they identify with or to just come enjoy.

When: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Where: Peralta Elementary School Multipurpose Room
Time: 4-7pm

Family Event: Children, extended family & neighbors included.

If you would like additional information or would like to volunteer for the event, please contact Marjorie Stamper-Kurn (mstamperkurn AT yahoo DOT com) or Kimberly Read (karead01 AT att DOT net).