September 15th marked the beginning of
Latino Heritage Month. This is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.
The term
Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people of any race, living in the United States. On the 2000 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino." More than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino on this census.
During the week of Sept. 22,
Lisa López's Spanish I and II classes taught kindergarten students how to say words in Spanish through short laptop presentations
of songs and chants that they had created in Spanish. Over the coming weeks, there will be several other programs and pieces of artwork that recognize the history and heritage of Latinos/Hispanics:
Spanish-Speaking Countries9/15 - 10/15
There
will be information about the 19 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin
America, Spain and Equatorial Guinea posted all over campus.
Salsa Lessons
Upper School Spanish teacher Vilma Orrego will be giving Salsa lessons on Oct. 3 from 11 to 11:55 a.m. in room 312. Food will be provided.
Middle School ChapelRev. Patty Roberts, Beryle Ponce and Ms. López will present a "Latino" Chapel on Oct. 7. Presentations include: La Malinche; a performance of the Ave Maria; a celebration of the Mass by an Hispanic Episcopalian priest; and music by a Mariachi band.
Upper and Lower School Chapel
Cuban storyteller and long-time HIES friend, Carmen Deedy, will be the featured guest on Oct. 9.
History Lesson
Fifth-graders will be honoring Christopher Columbus on October 10th.
They will dress up in costumes and travel the LS hallways from
pre-first to 5th-grade shortly after announcements. They will introduce
themselves to the classes and tell a brief story of Columbus.
Traditional Food
A Latino lunch will be served Oct. 10th in the LS cafeteria.
