THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605210154
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 76 lines
East met West to the delight of 85 second-graders from Lindenwood and Sherwood Forest elementary schools last Thursday when the students visited the Asia Garden Buffet and Sushi Bar in Virginia Beach for lunch.
Another group of students from the same schools had visited the restaurant the day before.
All were treated to an Oriental meal and a lesson about several Asian cultures put on by the restaurant's staff.
``The students get a chance to experience what is in the community, interact with other students and get a rich cultural experience,'' said Brenda Shepherd, coordinator for multicultural education for the Norfolk Public Schools. ``They also get to sit down in a restaurant, learn etiquette and acquire a taste for food from other cultures.''
The activity, Shepherd explained, was the final joint event of the year for the two schools, which have been paired for three years as part of Norfolk's community schools program. The schools' students meet at least four times a year. Previously, according to Shepherd, it was a separate program, but it is now incorporated into the regular curriculum.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, the group was met by seven members of the staff, dressed in native costumes and holding small flags of five Asian countries. Each took a turn speaking about the country represented. The presentations touched upon the traditional dress, the flag, language and customs. Several mentioned chopsticks, a pair of which rested on the tables next to each diner.
Faisal Kabir spoke about Bangladesh. Meredith Cespedes and Juliet Smith represented the Philippines. Joann Lu and Joanna McLaurin described China. Nora Probst explained Korea, and Naomi Matsuda Matthews talked about Japan.
``In Japan, the students go to school six days a week, including every Saturday,'' Matthews said.
During lunch, the seven circulated among the tables, answering more questions and sharing more information, as well as laughing and joking with the students and demonstrating the correct way to use chopsticks.
By the end of the meal, most of the students were becoming proficient with them.
``We do it to let the kids get familiar with the different cultures, costumes and food,'' explained Kris Ferrara, one of the restaurant's two managers. ``It helps them know something about Asian-Americans and gives them a little taste of the Orient.''
The schools originally had contacted the restaurant about such a program, Ferrara said. It went well, so they called to schedule it again.
``We've had students here this past November, kindergartners, and some last school year,'' Shepherd said. ``The entire staff seems to be very supportive. The whole staff is circulating, taking time to answer the children's questions.''
``It's good,'' said Anthony Bynum, 8, from Lindenwood, referring to the food. ``The beef's chewy. I like it, and I like the rice. The costumes were good, colorful. At first, it was hard to use the chopsticks. They're easy to eat with, but I used my fork, too.''
``It was good,'' agreed Kenny Gregory, 8, from Sherwood Forest. ``The costumes were cool. I like how the different places eat in different ways, like with their fingers. In our world, it's not polite. I learned a lot about all the different countries.''
``It was perfect,'' said Roshonda Washington, 8, from Sherwood Forest. ``I liked the egg rolls best. The costumes are neat. The chopsticks: you got to eat with them, and it's hard to get the rice. I picked them up and followed the directions on the back (of the package they came in). I want to come back here. I have a lot of things to learn.''
``I like the food,'' said Dennita Cox, 7, from Lindenwood. ``I like the girls' dresses. The chopsticks were hard. I put them between my fingers, opened them, and then I picked the food up and ate it.''
``There are special funds appropriated for multicultural activities,'' teacher Sherry Kennedy of Sherwood Forest explained. ``The kids didn't have to pay. Yesterday, we had five children that had never been in a restaurant.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
Meredith Cespedes, left, and Faisal Kabir talk Oriental food with
Nicole McCracken and Marcus Calabrese. by CNB