From April 29 to May 3, Willowbrook hosted a Multilingual Learner Week to recognize and celebrate the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of the school.
Students and staff wore specific colors each day of the week to represent different continents and themes. The week culminated with a Multilingual Learner Assembly, hosted by the Literacy Department. The event featured Willowbrook performance groups Ritmo Latino, Mariachi Club, Los VM, K-Pop, Hindi and French dancers and more. The celebratory presentation also showcased a video from the American Sign Language (ASL) Club, as well as a video of students interviewing staff in various languages, to share the benefits and value of speaking more than one language and experiencing other cultures.
District 88 has 51 languages and more than 30 countries represented among its families, and almost half of the nearly 4,000 students at District 88 speak a language other than English at home. The district is extremely proud of that diversity and embraces it as an asset. The district’s core values include ensuring all students, staff, parents/guardians and community members feel safe, valued, respected and welcome – regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or ability level.