Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 in the United States. It is a recognition of the history, culture, and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries and culture, and their rich and valuable contribution to American society and culture. It is an important celebration in our schools because it encourages and celebrates diversity.

This celebration promotes our students’ values by focusing specifically on empathy, tolerance, and respect for others. These values enable us to create positive members in the community and prepare students to become global citizens. Tolerance teaches us to respect other people's ideologies or customs even though they are foreign to ours. We are all different, and our society is diverse. Practicing these values in the school community translates to implementing these values in our immediate society.

During the annual celebration, teachers throughout the district create vibrant lessons to celebrate the Hispanic culture. The halls of Chalmers Elementary were especially festive this year, and our international teachers played a significant role in the celebrations. “We want students to feel proud of who they are and to see these representations around them,” said dual language teacher Isreal Garcia. Chalmers students and staff honored all the families representing different Spanish-speaking countries in the United States.

Among the cultural activities carried out in the classrooms were the preparation and tasting of typical cultural dishes, the study of traditions, and the discussion of flags and murals from Spanish-speaking countries. Students also researched people of Hispanic origin who helped make this country a better place and interviewed relatives to find out the origin of their ancestors. In addition, students danced to the sound of traditional music from various Spanish-speaking cultures.

“Celebrating Hispanic heritage makes me proud of where my parents and grandparents are from,'' says fourth-grade student Ruben Melendez-Chavarria.

Previously held during Hispanic Heritage Month, the annual Fiesta Night celebration is held in late April/early May and is a community celebration of Cinco de Mayo.