CES fourth graders learn about tolerance, ethnicity
Being the rural area that it is, one might think that not much diversity exists in northern Marion County, but the area is populated by people of various ethnic backgrounds, descendants of settlers who immigrated to Kansas from many different places.
To comply with requirements for receiving grant money for installation of a sewer system, the city of Lost Springs was asked to organize a program to promote tolerance and appreciation for various cultures.
Mayor Greg Wyatt asked Principal Demitry Evancho at Centre Elementary School, Lost Springs, to assist in developing such an activity.
With assistance from South Central Economic Development District (SCEDD), fourth graders were targeted for a program which included several days of lessons on nondiscrimination. It culminated May 20 with a presentation on tolerance by Kathryn Knox of SCEDD.
Afterward, parents and friends brought foods of various ethnic origins, to be sampled by all. Students explained the history of each dish.
Foods included Southwestern United States cactus (similar to green beans); Czech kolaches; French Brie cheese; German stuffed sausage; Swedish potato sausage; German casenoodles; jambalaya, a spicy rice dish from Louisiana and the Deep South; German sausage and sauerkraut; German zwiebach, a dinner roll; osta kaka, a Swedish curd pudding; and French chocolate eclairs.
