Exposing our students to a wide range of holiday traditions and customs allows them to build appreciation, tolerance, and understanding for different cultures at a young age. We use our assembly program to celebrate many cultures. Special guests often speak to the students. In 2003, for example, author Michael McCarty told stories of how the hardships of slavery helped form the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, faith, creativity, and purpose. Other presentations include the showcasing of sacred objects, as well as traditional singing and dancing.