Chopping vegetables and tasting a dish from Pakistan helped the kindergarten class learn about the home culture of one of their classmates today.

Dr. Nabeel Babar and Sharmila Afzal shared about Pakistan with the kindergarten. Their youngest son was proud to have his parents on hand and eagerly pointed out the route of the 16-hour plane ride the family travels when they return to visit family in Pakistan. The students listened and asked questions about the culture, weather, topography and people.

Together, they made mixed vegetable pakora. Pakora, also called pakoda, is a fried snack that is popular across the Indian subcontinent, where it is served in restaurants and sold by street vendors. It is also often found in Indian restaurants as well as South Asian restaurants in the Western world.

The family moved to the area when Dr. Nabeel, an endocrinologist, began practicing with Sentara RMH Medical Center. All five of their children attend the school in grades kindergarten, three, five, seven and nine.

“We love this school,” wrote Ms. Afzal on a Facebook post earlier this year. “The kids love their school.”

On that day, she noted, “Today the first thing my fifth grader told me when he got home is how much he loves his teacher.”

What makes EMS a good fit for their family? “The caring, friendly atmosphere, and emphasis on peace building and fellowship,” she says. “The relationships that are encouraged between the different grade levels through various activities like book buddies. We are so grateful.”

Come visit
Anyone interested in learning more about Eastern Mennonite Elementary School in our newly renovated building, is welcome to two open house events early in 2020.

Tuesday, January 28, there will be an open house for parents from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, February 4 the whole family is invited to an evening open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Snacks and children’s activities will be available.

Contact EMS Admissions at 540-236,6021 or email admissions@easternmennonite.org for more information or register here.