One million Puerto Ricans are still without power. This year, Rochester Adams will donate to hurricane relief in Puerto Rico as a part of National Foreign Language Week. Helping those in need supports this year’s theme of “Serving the World Community”.

Students are asked to donate batteries, flashlights, mosquito repellent, solar-powered lanterns, and small portable water filters. First aid supplies, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and paper towels, hygiene products, diapers, and baby food are needed as well. Cash donations are also greatly appreciated.

Foreign language week is not only a chance to support charity, but is also a chance for students to experience the cultures of their foreign language class.

“This is my first time doing foreign language week, but I have heard about it for years. I know it is a huge tradition here and even middle school students in other schools know how exciting foreign language week is,” said French teacher Amanda Liska.

Foreign language week is anticipated by new and returning students and foreign language teachers.

“I’m really excited to see everyone’s games and projects,” said freshman Claire Donohoe.

“My favorite part of foreign language week was making our t-shirts and going to the soccer game,” said sophomore Brynna Garden.

Students will begin foreign language week activities on Monday, November 13 by watching movies in their foreign language classes about organizations that provide services for the community and answering questions. Monday is also food day for staff: a day when students bring in homemade cultural dishes for staff members. Students can sign up to bring in food with Frau Stein in room 252 by Friday, November 3.

On Tuesday, November 14, foreign language classes will meet in the media center to watch a presentation by a guest speaker. This speaker will be a family member, friend, or peer that will talk about a chance they had to help communities abroad. Students will ask questions and take notes as they learn about the speaker’s experiences. The inter-language quiz bowl will take place after school on Wednesday. Students of all levels are able to participate in the quiz bowl, and must sign up with an advanced placement language teacher by Friday, November 10.

T-shirt day will be Wednesday, November 15. On this day, students taking part will design and create t-shirts to wear. T-shirts must be worn all day for students to receive credit, not just during their language class. Groups of three or more students with coordinating shirts will receive an extra point. Students will also be presenting posters that celebrate their cultural experiences on Wednesday. All these projects will be due on Thursday, November 9.

Students will share their own presentations following this year’s theme on Thursday, November 16 and Friday, November 17. All students can either be present to their peers about a local or international organization that provides community service or about their own heritage. Students in their fifth year of a language can also present for a middle or elementary school class.

Foreign language week is an opportunity for kids to get more culturally involved and educated. Students can decorate banners and displays as a way to promote the week in the language hallway. To create a banner, students must sign up with a language teacher after school, and turn them in before Thursday, November 9 to be hung up.

One student will also have the chance to paint a mural in the language lab that illustrates Serving the World Community. Designs for the mural must be turned in by Wednesday, Nov. 8, and one design will be chosen by the foreign language teachers.

Participating in foreign language week is important for language students. It improves their knowledge about culture in their target language and around the world as well as allowing them to be creative.

“[Foreign language week] is just a really good week of just celebrating why foreign language are awesome, why it’s a really good idea to use them,” said Liska.

This eventful week is anticipated every year by both students and teachers. It is a fun and competitive way of introducing new cultures to students while also supporting charities. Foreign language week is an Adams tradition that continues to grow each and every year and teach students the importance of diversity.