Viva la Argentina! (And Viva la Messi!) (Photo/Christine Pike)
The Foreign Language Immersion School of Celebration put on a school wide parade in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month Friday. Each class put on their best attire with colors and themes that represent a certain Country. Tons of family and friends crowded in the parking lot waiting in anticipation for the event to begin and the students did not disappoint.
Fifteen Spanish countries were represented and embraced on this day and the students learned and immersed themselves into the cultures as they performed. FLIS Curriculum Coordinator Maria Mendieta said that not only do the kids learn to welcome and understand diversity in cultures and countries, but they learn about the traditions, food, famous individuals and leaders from each country.
Each class put on an exhibit where they showed o their creativity and love for the different countries with authentic trinkets and colors. This parade was much more than “fun and games” for the students, but a time to cherish and welcome all students from all backgrounds.
So how did the school pick the countries to represent?
“We look around the school and pick countries based on where our students and teachers are from,” Mendieta said. “No culture is too small to represent. The idea is to make all the students feel seen.”
It was a concept that worked well Friday, shown by the smiles and laughter as the parade progressed.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for celebration and diversity, and teaching this in school is an excellent way to innovate our society, celebrated through Oct. 15. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
