Belonging, Lived.
We want children to feel secure in who they are, know that they belong, and grow genuinely curious about people whose lives and experiences may be different from their own. At WHPS, that happens through classroom learning, stories, conversations, visitors, celebrations, and the life of our community.
Our Community Is Part of the Curriculum.
Children learn about culture most meaningfully when it feels human and alive. Families, artists, performers, visitors, stories, music, food, and traditions help connect classroom learning to real people and experiences.
AAPI Heritage
One recent celebration became a schoolwide fashion show and runway walk, with students and families sharing clothing, traditions, and stories from across Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Hispanic & Latine Heritage
Student presentations, music, food, books, art, and classroom learning help children explore the histories and cultures represented across Hispanic and Latine communities.
Native American Heritage
Children explore Indigenous history and living cultures through stories, music, dance, classroom learning, and experiences such as visits to the Chumash Museum.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year has included a schoolwide lion dance filled with music, movement, history, and celebration, alongside classroom books, art, and traditions.
History Through Stories, Music, Art & People.
Black history is part of learning throughout the year, with additional schoolwide experiences that have included student voices, books, music, dance, drum circles, artists, speakers, and stories.
We intentionally mix up the experiences so children encounter new people, ideas, and perspectives each year.
Difference Is Part of Being Human.
Children grow up alongside people who think, communicate, learn, move, and experience life differently. We want them to approach those differences with understanding, respect, curiosity, and comfort rather than uncertainty or assumption.
Neurodiversity Across the School
Through schoolwide neurodiversity programming, children learn about different ways brains can work and about well-known artists, athletes, scientists, performers, entrepreneurs, and others whose thinking or learning may differ from what is considered typical.
The focus is not the label. It is understanding that every person has strengths, challenges, interests, and a story.
Learning About Disability Through People
A visiting adaptive skateboarder shared his experiences with students, answered their questions, and even finished with an incredible jump over Elementary Principal Melanie Henson. The visit gave children a memorable opportunity to challenge assumptions and think differently about disability and ability.
Meeting People Who Expand Our View
Actor and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Matthew Von Der Ahe, known for his role as Craig in Champions, visited WHPS to talk with students about his life, acting career, and experiences with Down syndrome. Experiences like this give children a more personal understanding of disability, grounded in people, experiences, strengths, and stories rather than labels.
Sometimes the Best Lesson Walks Through the Door.
Michael D. McCarty
Multicultural storyteller Michael D. McCarty brought African and African American stories, history, humor, and his own remarkable life experience to WHPS.
His life included time as a member of the Black Panther Party in Chicago before decades as a professional storyteller. Children had the rare opportunity to connect history with a real person, conversation, and story.
More Ways We Learn From One Another.
No single month or celebration can represent a culture, identity, or history. These are a few more recent ways children have learned and celebrated together.
Women's History
Students explore women whose ideas, leadership, creativity, and advocacy have shaped history and continue to shape the world.
Holi
The Festival of Colors comes to life through learning, community, and one of the most joyful celebrations of the year.
Nowruz
Children learn about Persian traditions, spring, new beginnings, and the meaning behind a Haft-Sin display.
Harvey Milk Day
Age-appropriate learning connects civil rights history with courage, fairness, equality, and standing up for others.
Families Bring the Community to Life.
Many of our most memorable experiences begin with WHPS families, who connect us with speakers, performers, artists, traditions, community partners, and ideas that bring learning to life.
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