On Friday, February 19th, our sixth grade students had a unique opportunity to visit a Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Richfield, Ohio. This unique experience was organized by our sixth grade teacher team who recently taught students about various cultural traditions in social studies class. Students were taught by a Lama from Tibet. They learned about being able to use their minds to generate positive thoughts which can then generate positive thoughts and actions. Students observed the tradition of chanting by Lama Sangan and were also taught the proper postural techniques related to meditation, a practice that can be used to increase concentration, as well as decrease stress. 

Their second stop was at the Jain Center in Cleveland where students learned the basic theme of Jainism. The main premise of Jainism is to help one another.  Jains are vegetarians and do not consume "5 sensed animals." The Jain hosts also provided our students and staff with an Indian themed, vegetarian lunch that included rice, spinach with chickpeas, salad and naan (an Indian bread).  Ms. Brkich stated, "Both hosts were very hospitable and we were grateful for the opportunity to expand our classroom walls."