LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS – The energy at the PDRC was electric on the evening of March 21, as more than 300 families, students, and community members gathered to celebrate the vibrant mosaic of cultures that make Linden Public Schools so unique.

𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭’𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, the Cultural Diversity Event was more than a showcase—an immersive, hands-on celebration transcending language and background. The message was clear: in Linden, diversity isn’t just something we have—it’s something we cherish.

From the moment guests stepped through the doors, they were greeted by the sounds of global rhythms masterfully curated by Jude and Magady Valere. The multicultural soundtrack set the tone for an evening filled with connection, creativity, and cultural pride.

“𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬,” 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧, 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. “𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.”

Throughout the four-hour Friday evening event, 338 participants moved through a room transformed into a living museum of world cultures.

𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫—𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐟

Children and adults alike explored colorful cultural stations representing communities from across the globe—Chinese, Indian, Haitian, Peruvian, Colombian, Italian, African American, Caribbean, Polish, Arab, Vietnamese, Eastern European, and more.

It was a joyful snapshot of Linden’s beautifully diverse student population, where nearly 40 languages are spoken across the district.

The Chinese station invited young artists to fold paper origami, while the Indian station overflowed with color as girls lined up for intricate henna tattoos and created vibrant Rangoli art. At the Haitian table, bright flags and pennants sparked conversations about island heritage.

The Peruvian station delighted children with llama headgear crafts and flag coloring, and the Colombian table wowed attendees with handmade masks and maize-themed art, celebrating symbols of community and tradition. Meanwhile, the Italian station offered a tasty twist—miniature pizza-making that blended art with cuisine.

“We’re proud of how this event brought together families from diverse backgrounds,” said Tania Miguelez, Secondary Supervisor of ESL/World Languages. “Moments like these help build a more inclusive and understanding community.”

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧—𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠

At its heart, the Cultural Diversity Event was about connection. It created a welcoming space where families—from elementary students to high schoolers—could share their stories and feel seen.

Guests contributed to an interactive Cultural Flag Tree, tracing their roots and proudly representing their heritage. Collages and ethnic pennants added color and meaning, capturing the rich blend of identities that define Linden.

“This event was a beautiful display of the cultural richness that shapes our schools,” said Stephanie Ross, Elementary ESL/World Languages supervisor. “We’re committed to creating an environment where every student and every family feels valued.”

𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐅𝐮𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭

No celebration is complete without great food—and this one didn’t disappoint. Thanks to generous local sponsors, attendees enjoyed a diverse menu that included pizza, McChicken sandwiches, rotisserie chicken, pastries, donuts, traditional baked goods, and more. Hot chocolate, coffee, and other refreshments kept the energy high and bellies full.

Special thanks went to Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, Pino’s Bakery, Linden Bagels, Pies on Stiles, Chinese Gourmet, Jersey Mike’s, Rotisserie Chicken Linden, and AT&T, which also hosted a booth offering low-cost phone and internet plans for families.

𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬: 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦

Bringing this celebration to life took planning, teamwork, and heart. The Multilingual Department’s dedicated staff poured their passion into every detail.

The event was organized by ESL Coaches Magady Valere and Krystal Tornabene, Data & Testing Specialist Harjot Kaur, Welcome Center Secretary Vanessa Granados, and department secretaries Florencia Skorput Lazur and Melanie Rollis-Safner—each playing a vital role in creating an evening that honored heritage and built community.

𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧, 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝—𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝

With every shared story, cultural craft, and note of music echoing through the halls, the Cultural Diversity Event was more than an evening—it was a reflection of the district’s commitment to inclusion and connection.

As Linden Public Schools continues to grow, the Multilingual Department remains focused on building bridges between families and schools, creating spaces where every language, every tradition, and every voice matters.

And if March 21 was any indication, the future of Linden is not only diverse—it’s united.