Heritage Day ends Lake Forest school's in-person learning for 2020

The Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart community spent its last day together on campus before Thanksgiving break, which will be followed by a return to remote learning for the rest of the school's first semester, in a special way. With students leading the way in planning it, Heritage Day was designed to be yet another way of celebrating the school's rich and diverse cultural heritage. Each academic year starts with a Flag Ceremony recognizing nations where either a student or faculty/staff member was born or where they hold dual citizenship.

Heritage Day, Nov. 20, put a spotlight on the cultural traditions of the whole community in a variety of ways. For example, many dressed according to their cultural tradition by wearing ceremonial clothing, flag colors or other elements of clothing/accessories related to their cultural heritage. And the planning committee, comprised primarily of students, decided on an assortment of workshops in which students could choose to participate during a special activity period.

Workshops included Cultural Poetry and Storytelling; two international film screenings; Cultural Arts and Music; Global Sports, in which students played some popular sports from around the world such as cricket; and Global Comedians, where students watched clips of comedians from around the world and then discussed how they share their culture in their performances.

Also, members of the Woodlands Academy community were asked to submit favorite songs reflecting their heritage for a multi-cultural playlist, family recipes accompanied by a brief description of cultural significance, and/or any fun facts from an individual's heritage to be used in fun quizzes and displays.

Heritage Day and the preceding Flag Ceremony share the common goal of expanding knowledge and appreciation of other cultures and peoples. It's a goal that aligns with the educational vision of Sacred Heart schools, as articulated by the foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, who said, 'To influence our world we must understand it.'"

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Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It's part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries. A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy's identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat's desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. For more information about Woodlands Academy, please visit www.woodlandsacademy.org