The Bilingual Department of Chicago Heights School District 170 recently hosted its first Celebration of Hispanic Culture at Washington-McKinley School.
The purpose of the event was to bring students and families together from the three school that house the bilingual program to celebrate and maintain the Hispanic culture, its customs, and its traditions.
At the program, students from grades K – 8 performed a series of songs and dances representative of the Hispanic culture and its traditions.
A reception featuring refreshments and treats, many homemade, provided by parents of the students followed the program.
"It was so wonderful to see all of the students and their families come together in the school environment to socialize and celebrate the wonderful Hispanic culture," said Shannon Vera, CHSD170's Bilingual Director.
"Most of our schools celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the traditional day of celebration marking the surprise victory of the Mexican over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862," Vera continued.
"Because of the programs at the individual schools the Celebration of Hispanic Culture was the perfect opportunity to showcase the talents of our students."
Vera recognized, however, that many of the district's students emanated from different countries of a Hispanic background and that the event would be the perfect opportunity to share the traditions of those different countries.
Students participating in the program represented Garfield, Roosevelt, and Washington-McKinley Schools, the district schools that house bilingual classes.
Students from the following classrooms participated in the program:
Elizabeth Briones's Kindergarten, Caleb Valentin's first-grade, Alfredo Ferreira's second-grade, and Susanna Salina's third-grade from Garfield School; Megan Homoky's Kindergarten, and Carmen Hernandez's first-grade from Roosevelt School; and Sandra Castenada's Kindergarten, Illiana Roman's first grade, Cristina Soto's and Luz Segovia's second grades, Gabriel Lopez's third grade, Sandra Briseno's fourth grade, and Pablo DeLaRosa's and Consuelo Ramirez's eighth grade from Washington-McKinley School.
"I was elated to note the success of the Celebration of Hispanic Culture," said Washington-McKinley's Principal, Dr. Gretchen Sutherland.
"Seeing the students, teachers, and staff from our different schools celebrating with the parents and families of those students made the event memorable, indeed."
"Activities like this one that involves students and their family and friends embrace an essential goal of the District 170 schools in providing an outstanding educational and engaging opportunity for students while offering activities and celebrations that honor the heritage and cultures that make up our service community," Sutherland concluded.