Students 

transported to

Portugal

POMFRET — The Pomfret Community School-PTO whisked students and stfff to Portugal during the recent Cultural Arts Week. It was a week-long, school-wide program.

The students were immersed in the Portuguese culture through classroom visits by docents. These volunteer docents shared crafts, cooking, video presentations and folklore stories of Portugal. The day long Market Place gave students the opportunity to experience the culture firsthand. While Portuguese Fado music filled the school lobby, students made Portuguese Man o’ War paper sun catchers and paper puppets of the legendary Rooster of Barcelos. Rice pudding and Sumol, a favorite beverage in Portugal, were served. The week commenced with a presentation of Portugal: An Adventure in Discovery. This aerial DVD gave a bird’s eye view of the country.

PCS-PTO thanked volunteers: Frank Aleman, Tonya Brock, Joe Costa, Clarinda Ferreira, Miguel Ferreira, Jen Flanagan, Jeannie Heroux, Beth Jacquet, Kristin Lavitt, Kerri Murray, Michelle Pike, Martha Schultz, Marlena Tedisky, Kristie Tyler and Lindsey Verraneault. Pomfret Girl Scout Troop 65500, PCS Art Club, under the direction of Hollis Abram, Cultural Arts Committee Co-Chairs Melanie Ferreira and Michelle McCorkle-Milardo, PTO members Melanie Ferreira, Holly Gadoury, Melissa Keats, Michelle McCorkle-Milardo and Michelle Pike.

Clarinda Ferreira of N. Smithfield, R.I., a native of Mortagua, Portugal and a proud grandparent of three PCS students, single handedly supplied the Market Place with her personal collection of Portuguese items. She spent the day stamping every student’s passport and spent hours the day before helping to prepare the rice pudding, since she was kind enough to share her personal recipe. She also allowed the students authentic and detailed knowledge of the Portuguese culture, the meaning of the items on display and her personal stories.