The gymnasium at St. Joseph School was alive with colour, culture, and connection as students, families, and staff came together for a vibrant Culture Day celebration on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The day featured booths from the Grade 7 stduents, along with some students from other grades and their families, showcasing the rich cultural diversity that makes up the school community.
The booths represented and highlighted cultures from around the world, including Mexico, the Netherlands, Métis, Ireland, Hungary, and many more. Each station was a unique window into the traditions, histories, and identities of the students and their families. From traditional dress and flags to homemade artifacts and stories, the displays offered an engaging and educational experience for everyone who attended.
"We wanted to make sure we recognized all the different cultures that we have at our school," said Brent Christensen, Principal of St. Joseph School. "We have students coming to us from lots of different places, and this felt like a great way to celebrate everybody at our school and where they come from. This helps the students to feel a little bit more at home and share a bit about their family while learning more about everyone else's families."
Throughout the afternoon, students from across the school had the opportunity to visit the booths, ask questions, and learn more about the backgrounds of their peers. For many students, the opportunity to present their culture was both meaningful and exciting.
"I wanted to present my Mexican culture because Mexico has so many important and great things about it," said Grade 7 student, Rosy Garcia. "I was excited to share that with all my friends here at school because it's important for people to know about our culture and for us to learn about where other people come from."
"I think culture day is pretty important because it's fun to show other people about your culture as well as learn something about someone else's," added Sean Abrey-McKeown, a Grade 6 student who showcased a Métis booth with the help of his family. "It's a chance to share who you really are and I think that's really special."
Looking ahead, Mr. Christensen hopes this is only the beginning.
"Moving forward, we want the momentum to grow and have culture evenings with more families able to attend, as well as other members of the Coaldale community. It's a special event that helps shows our students that there are more similarities than there are differences among us."
Culture Day at St. Joseph School was more than just a celebration—it was a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty found in diversity. Through events like these, the school continues to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and unity among its students and families.