MICDS parents and guardians came together virtually last week for the annual Passport Series kickoff event, the Passport Series Welcome Coffee. Over 25 parents and guardians, with either new or returning students to MICDS, participated on Zoom to hear about this popular Parents Association program. The Coffee guest speakers included Head of School Jay Rainey and parents Robert Cullen and Liesel Duhon. Thank you to this year’s Passport Series co-chairs, Ayumi Cullen and Ashley Payne Cook, for welcoming everyone to the 6th year of the Passport Series program.
As we continue to lean in to the MICDS Mission of embracing all the world’s people, Rainey shared his gratitude for the Passport Series program. “I’m so appreciative of the work of broader embrace of diversity and difference that the Passport Series furthers in our School,” he said. “I’m happy to go about this work with you in the new school year.”
The Passport Series was inspired by the International Expo at MICDS, which began in 2011. The expo’s goals were to celebrate and share the MICDS community’s cultural knowledge and diversity through education, music, art, theatre, dance, food, and more. The event was first held in Middle School classrooms but outgrew the space. It transitioned to the Middle School Gym and soon expanded to now require the Upper School Gym. Based off the success of the International Expo, the Passport Series launched in 2015 to help develop cultural diversity of the MICDS community throughout the entire school year. “Our ultimate goal is to create a global community at MICDS where parents can build bonds together,” shares Ayumi.
The Passport Series holds six events from September through February. Like many of our events and meetings this school year, the initial Passport Series events will be conducted over Zoom. This year’s upcoming events are listed as follows:
- Korea & Chuseok Celebration presented by Lisa Gil Diaz (October 2, 12:15-1:15 p.m., Zoom)
- India & Diwali
- Christmas (how different countries celebrate Christmas)
- Celebration of Black History
- China & Lunar New Year
- Russia
- St. Louis
MICDS parent Bob Cullen shared some interesting statistics about the benefits of cultural diversity, inclusion, and understanding, citing a few sources along the way. He spoke about how this acceptance of the breadth and depth of humankind increases productivity and profits. Diversity Inc. 2020 noted that employees who felt included had 75% less sick days than those who felt like they didn’t belong. They also earned twice as many raises and saw 50% less turnover. “In order for us to foster better leaders in our country, here in St. Louis and in society, educating our children to be more culturally aware, both at MICDS through programs like this and others, is beneficial to them today and in the future,” he said.
Former Passport Series Chair Liesel Duhon talked about some of her favorite past events in the series. A presentation on Senegal exposed her to a country she didn’t know much about previously; opera singers energized a meeting that was all about Italy; holiday crafts and traditions tapped into her creative side during a festive event. She said, “People are so grateful to learn about other cultures and to be exposed to things we never knew about.”
Interested in learning more about the Passport Series or in attending an upcoming event? Current parents and guardians are welcome to join the email list. Simply email passportseries@micds.org to be added.
Cullen couldn’t have said it better: “Teaching our children to be more understanding, and aware and culturally sensitive, is going to help them become better leaders as they move forward in their careers, whatever they decide to do…As parents, we need to educate ourselves as well.”
If you like learning about other cultures, trying new foods, and meeting fellow MICDS parents, we’ll see you at the next Passport Series event!