Taking it to the top of Excellence: Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Celebration at BFS

by Emily Cowles and Joan Martin

The inaugural Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Celebration at Brooklyn Friends School on the evening of Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, was a stunning representation of scholarship, teamwork, outreach, and inclusion. In all aspects of planning and implementation, it was an example of how a single concept can be nurtured, grown and be taken to the top of excellence.

The event was organized with heart and hard work by faculty members led by Laura Murtula, Myriam Juarbe, Maria Sanchez, Felix Alberto, and Kim Allen and with the leadership and strong support of Middle School Head Glen Pinder. It took place following a six week curricular focus on Hispanic/Latinx heritage and highlighted many facets of our teaching and learning community:

• The depth and breadth of the World Languages curriculum

• The magnificence of the Visual Arts and Performing Arts program

• The intentional ways BFS integrates Service Learning and Civic Engagement across the curriculum

• The school’s continuing commitment to relief efforts in Puerto Rico (“Hurricane Maria Is Still Here. . .”)

• The appreciation and celebration of the varied Hispanic/Latinx cultures, heritages, and backgrounds represented in the many people who spend their working days at BFS with young children.

The event kicked off in the late afternoon with a postcard writing campaign

organized by the PAT Service Learning and Civic Engagement Committee. A group of students gathered to write encouraging messages to children in immigration detention centers in Texas and New York.

At 5:00 p.m. the party officially began in the Lobby and Cafeteria. The stage was set when Peruvian musicians played folkloric music to greet guests. Artwork created by lower and middle school students

At 5:00 p.m. the party officially began in the Lobby and Cafeteria. The stage was set when Peruvian musicians played folkloric music to greet guests. Artwork created by lower and middle school students during Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) filled the lobby, cafeteria and hallways. (More examples of the art is included in the annual giving section of this Journal beginning on page 27. )

The Cafeteria was packed as guests enjoyed traditional food, delicacies, and desserts from Spanish-speaking countries – all prepared and donated by community members. Sales of the delicious food raised $3,000 for BFS community partner Teens4PR.

“Eat and learn” was an apt description of what happened during the first hour of the celebration. Looking like a traditional science fair with posterboards, the aisles of the cafeteria were lined with Middle School Spanish language students, who presented their research projects on Hispanic/Latinx countries, changemakers, and prominent people. Younger students were encouraged to “visit” each country and receive a stamp in their “passports.”

The celebration continued in the Lower Gym where joyful cameraderie, music, and Latinx rhythms filled the air. Upper School IB Dance students performed Afro Caribbean dances. The Middle School choir sang Dominican folksongs, and the Upper School choir sang Latin American songs. The Panthers Supreme dancers gave their first performance of the academic year in colorful ensembles. The celebration concluded with a professional Latin dance showcase followed by dance lessons from the pros that partnered students with their parents.

From left: Felix Alberto, Kim Allen, Myriam Juarbe, Maria Sanchez, and Laura Murtula