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A girl from the primary class waving two national flags.

Promoting Cultural Awareness at Tessa International School

A critical part of helping our students become caring and happy world citizens is guiding them to understand and respect different cultures. Compared to local schools which often reflect a more homogenous cultural environment, we, as an international school, immerse students in a naturally diverse community where they experience a wide variety of cultural perspectives daily. By prioritizing cultural awareness, we prevent children from believing generalizations or stereotypes associated with a particular race, gender, or ethnicity. Instead, an appreciation for their own and others’ cultural differences is promoted from early childhood. 

“At Tessa, children are introduced to other languages and cultures in order to enhance their cultural awareness; they are bilingual and culturally adaptable.”

– The Mission Statement of Tessa International School.

A diverse group of students from various races, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds collaborating in a classroom at Tessa International School.

Cultural awareness is fundamental to providing a uplifting learning environment for all students.

A Multicultural Community

As of September, 2024, more than 60 different cultures are represented within our Tessa Community. This multicultural environment provides students with firsthand opportunities to experience diverse perspectives and practices. Children engage in collaborative projects with peers from various backgrounds, smoothly cultivating mutual respect and open-mindedness across national boundaries. 

To ensure a multicultural education that is responsive to all students, our teachers are all highly credentialed native speakers of English, French, Mandarin or Spanish, who bring a wealth of expertise and experience in their respective fields, and cultural knowledge to their teaching. This ensures that our students receive the highest quality bilingual education. Together, we create a collaborative and supportive community that develops all members a profound sense of belonging and appreciation for the richness that diversity brings.

A world map shown over 60 cultures represented at Tessa

Our school community reflects a specturm of diversity and inclusion.

A School Life Full of Cultural Celebrations

Due to the international nature of our school community, cultural awareness thrives through our celebrations and festivals, which are significant components of our vibrant school life. These events are more than fun activities; they manifest emotions, traditions, and knowledge, all of which are essential to our students’ understanding of the global world. 

Throughout the year, we celebrate events such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Lunar New Year, and Fête de la Musique – connected to our Spanish, Mandarin, and French bilingual programs for students to apply their targeted languages in real-life contexts – along with a range of other cultural traditions. These celebrations immerse our students in different cultures with interactive opportunities, whether enjoying traditional dishes, performing cultural dances, or directly communicating with guest speakers from specific cultures. Celebrations not only spark curiosity about different ideas, beliefs, and values but also inspire deeper cultural exchanges. 

We always welcome parents to volunteer in organizing or/and supporting school events to share their cultural legacies across generations. By participating in and learning about traditions, students deepen their appreciation for how cultural diversity enriches our shared experiences.

You can check our upcoming school events here

To celebrate the UN Day, a class of primary students at Tessa wearing their cultural outfits and holding up a poster that says "together in the world" in Spanish.

At Tessa, children are introduced to other languages and cultures to enhance their cultural awareness.

An Integrated International Curriculum

To provide students with both academic excellence and a global perspective, we offer an exceptional education based on international best practices. On a closer look, Tessa International School holds three premier global accreditations as a testament of our commitment to academic excellence

  1. International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP)
  2. French Ministry of Education for our Maternelle program (Preschool to Kindergarten)
  3. Cognia for our Preschool, Kindergarten, and Primary School Programs

Our globally recognized programs, with a focus on bilingualism, enable a seamless transition into other accredited institutions worldwide and a strong pathway towards higher education, facilitating their global mobility and fostering their continued success. 

 

Multicultural understanding is a valuable asset for children, helping them build greater self-esteem and form successful personal and professional relationships in different settings. From our multicultural community full of dynamic celebrations to worldwide recognized international curriculum, we prepare students not only to achieve academic competence but also to engage with the world as open-minded, culturally aware citizens.

 

FAQs

Q: Why should we foster children’s cultural awareness? 

Fostering cultural awareness in children helps them become more empathetic, adaptable, and open-minded individuals. In an increasingly interconnected world, it is vital for children to appreciate and respect differences. By developing an understanding of various cultures early on, they grow into adults who are better equipped to collaborate across cultural lines, reducing prejudices, gaining global competency, and creating a more inclusive world. 

Q: How does Tessa International School promote students’ cultural awareness? 

At Tessa International School, fostering cultural awareness is inherent in both our curriculum and daily school life. Accredited by the IBO and the French Ministry of Education, we integrate international best practices into our bilingual curriculum to ensure a globally recognized, high-quality education. This approach equips students with a broad perspective, helping them develop an understanding of different cultures while gaining academic excellence. Additionally, our community represents over 60 different cultures, allowing students to engage with peers from around the world and learn about different perspectives firsthand. A wide variety of cultural festivals and holidays are honored and celebrated, offering students a rich tapestry of global traditions, stories, and customs that enhance their appreciation for diversity.

Q: What role do parents play in promoting cultural awareness? 

A: Parents play a crucial role in fostering children’s cultural awareness as the primary role models who demonstrate open-mindedness and respect for diversity. By engaging in discussions about different traditions, values, and perspectives at home, parents can help children see the world through a broader lens. At Tessa International School, we encourage parents to actively participate in our cultural celebrations and festivals to show parental engagement in students’ learning journey and help us create an inclusive community. Moreover, supporting bilingual education also fuels children’s understanding of diverse cultures, making them more cultural aware and knowledgeable citizens. 

 

Are you ready to explore the only international leading private school in Hoboken?

Contact Tessa International School to learn more!

 

 

 

Black History Month Celebration at Tessa

For nearly 50 years, Black History Month has been celebrated in the United States to honor and recognize the significant achievements and contributions of the African American community. At Tessa International School, we celebrate this meaningful month every school year with a series of educational activities, inspiring stories, and engaging events. 

Learning About Important African American Figures

Our primary students explored the lives and contributions of African Americans who fought against slavery, segregation, and discrimination. They discussed the significance of these historical changes and their lasting impact on individuals and society.

The celebration of Black History Month allows our students to recognize the accomplishments and resilience of many historical figures.

  • One group of students admired how Frederick Douglass secretly learned to read and later taught other African Americans, recognizing his intelligence and compassion.
  • Another group focused on Sojourner Truth, a dedicated advocate who worked tirelessly to help freed slaves find employment.
  • A third group studied Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple who successfully challenged Virginia’s ban on interracial marriage in the 1960s. The students were inspired by their love story, perseverance, and open-mindedness.
  • A fourth group chose Harriet Tubman, the courageous risk-taker who led enslaved individuals to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
  • The final group explored the contributions of Viola Desmond, a Canadian anti-segregation activist, and Nelson Mandela, the late South African leader and activist.

Integrating Black History Month into Learning

As part of their Unit of Inquiry, our students studied the achievements of African American pioneers, applying their knowledge in real-life contexts. For example, Grade 1 students, in their unit “Where We Are in Place and Time,” created timelines of African American heroes, including Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, and Rosa Parks. This deepened their understanding of historical chronology and shared in presentations with their younger peers in Pre-K4. In addition, our Kindergartners also read Black history-themed stories to Pre-K3 students and prepared themed coloring activities for them.

Our buddy program pairs upper-grade students with younger children for reading sessions, activities, and collaborative projects. These experiences foster meaningful learning, skill development, and a sense of community, making Black History Month an inclusive and engaging celebration for all students.

A kindergarteners is sharing a picture book on African American History with a PK3 student.

We bolster a connected school community through the buddy program.

Exploring African American History with Parents

We are delighted to welcome many parents into our classrooms to share learning moments with students through storytelling, collaborative projects, and group discussions. Their visits provided valuable perspectives on how African American history has shaped our country—impacting society, science, literature, music, sports, and culture.

It was heartwarming to witness intergenerational learning in action, as parents shared their experiences and insights, enriching our students’ understanding of diversity and inclusion. These meaningful interactions help ensure that African American history continues to be honored and celebrated.

A parent reader share a story of Nina Simone to celebrate Black History Month with our kindergarteners.

Reading books is a great way to bring the histories of African American pioneers to life for children.

Preschoolers at Tessa International School work on their themed coloring project to celebrate Black History Month.

It is never too early to inspire our children with the African American History.

Engaging with African American Storytelling and Music

Additionally, our students participated in an engaging educational program led by storyteller April Armstrong and musician Ayodele Maakheru. Through folktales of perseverance, such as the story of John Henry, and the vibrant rhythms of West African drumming, students gained a deeper appreciation of the struggles and triumphs of great African Americans throughout history.

As we reflect on the past and celebrate the present, we continue taking steps toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

storyteller April Armstrong and musician Ayodele Maakheru engaged our students in African American history and music.

Interacting with African American artists encourages students to think critically about past, present, and their roles in positively shaping this world. 

Summer Travel Plans…?

At Tessa International School, we make it our mission to prepare our students to be leaders of the 21st century and happy world citizens. During the summer months, traveling with your children can be a great way to introduce them to the diversity beyond our borders.

Traveling with your children can be a fun and very educational way to broaden their mindsets. When you travel with your children, you are allowing them to observe and experience new places, languages, foods, and cultures first-hand. At Tessa International School, we strongly believe in preparing our children to embrace the world with enthusiasm, confidence, and the strong will to make a difference. Traveling is one of the key ways to help develop their open-mindedness, curiosity, flexibility, independence and many other skills at an early age that are necessary for them to succeed in our highly interconnected and globalized world. Raising global children means sending them off into the world better prepared to tackle the issues of the 21st century.

Here are our top five reasons to travel with your kids:

  1. It is a great way to spend valuable time together as a family. There is no better way to show your child that you care than to spend time together. Travelling will certainly leave you with some remarkable photos and unforgettable memories!
  2. It broadens your child’s mindset and perspective of the world. It is amazing how quickly children catch on to subtle differences in their environment. Travelling presents a wonderful opportunity to spark their curiosity and imagination.
  3. Travel allows your child to develop their self-esteem, confidence and independence. Exposing your children to new and different cultures will undoubtedly teach them new things. It will also a great way to strengthen their character and discover who they are and where they come from.
  4. It teaches them to embrace diversity. Meeting new people, listening to foreign languages, and trying new foods are all great experiences that showcase the differences in our cultures. Celebrate the diversity!
  5. Before you know it, your child will become a seasoned traveler. You may be hesitant to take your little one along for the vacation, however, it is an excellent way to set expectations and let them grow accustomed to what is expected of them on travel days.

It’s never too early to start exploring the world with your little one. Visit our website to learn more about our world class curriculum and language immersion programs in either French or Spanish. At Tessa, we understand the importance of preparing our children to take on whatever challenges life throws at them and embrace global opportunities with enthusiasm and confidence. RSVP to join us at our next information session or call us to schedule an appointment at (201) 755-5585.

Safe travels and we look forward to meeting you and your family soon!

Join us at Tessa International School

Discover why our bilingual curriculum is recognized as one of the best. Learn how we combine academic excellence with engaging, interactive experiences that foster global awareness.

Join us at Tessa International School

Discover why our bilingual curriculum is recognized as one of the best. Learn how we combine academic excellence with engaging, interactive experiences that foster global awareness.

Office: (201) 755-5585 | Location: 720 Monroe St. Hoboken, NJ 07030