Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2014
Julia Winer
Assistant Director of Communications
(860) 509-3666
jwiner@crec.org
Montessori Magnet School Hosts 200+ at Multicultural Fair
(Hartford, CT) In May, more than 200 families from the CREC Montessori Magnet School in Hartford attended the
school’s Multicultural Fair. All students in Pre-K to Grade 6 were involved in the event. Each class selected a
country, continent, or geographical area to study and exhibit, including North America, Japan, Australia, Jamaica,
Brazil, Islands of the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Ireland, Mexico, and India. Students created maps, research
papers, crafts, and Power Point presentations on the culture they studied and families contributed dishes from
around the world.
This year’s event also featured Jo Salins, world renowned musical performer, and Katerina Valentin, experienced
Latin dancer as guest speakers and special entertainers. Salins’ session featured a 20-minute workshop and 10minute performance, followed by an open-jam session and a student performance. Valentin, who has 14 years of
experience as a Latin dancer, performed two Puerto Rican folkloric dances, Bomba and Plena, culminating with a
20-minute Salsa dance lesson for all children and adults in attendance.
The Multicultural Fair is held semi-annually and gives students the opportunity to work individually and
collaboratively to present their cultural learning to the broader Montessori community. Upon arrival, families
received a map indicating the locations of various events, presentations, and exhibits. Students participated in a
scavenger hunt that involved "hunting" for the answers to the questions among the many displays. The event
culminated with a flash-mob performance of a Bollywood inspired dance.
“It was wonderful to see so many families attend and share their food, traditions and recognize our children's
work," said Bella Lanza, parent of a second-grader.
The CREC Montessori Magnet School offers students ages 3-12 a traditional Montessori education. The
Multicultural Fair fits into the school’s pedagogy and core themes, which focus on interdisciplinary and global
connections, allowing students to learn at their own pace, and expanding student knowledge beyond the school
environment into the greater classroom-the world.
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Capitol Region Education Council
www.crec.org
Capitol Region Education Council
www.crec.org
The Capitol Region Education Council was established in 1966. Working with and for its member districts, CREC has
developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and
adults in the region. CREC regularly serves 36 towns in Greater Hartford, offering more than 120 programs to more than
150,000 students annually. CREC manages more than 35 facilities throughout the area, including 19 interdistrict magnet
schools. More information about CREC or CREC’s award-winning Magnet Schools is available at www.crec.org
Capitol Region Education Council
www.crec.org