Teachers and students across the district are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, which is dedicated to recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.
At Harris Middle School, the mariachi classes under Eliseo Morales will be preparing for a Fall mariachi concert in October with a Día de los Muertos theme that involves a combined effort with other fine arts.
“As we are preparing for that concert, however, we will be doing impromptus during class by visiting administration, cafeteria workers, etc. and serenading them,” Morales said. “It's important to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month in schools to recognize the strides that the Hispanic culture has made over decades in every genre: education, entertainment, politics, and more.”
At Storm Elementary, the school has planned five themed weeks to acknowledge contributions in those different genres.
“As Storm Elementary re-launches their Dual Language Program, we felt the need to celebrate and expose our students to the many aspects of the Hispanic culture, such as social movements, art, food, music and dance, and celebrations,” lead teacher Miryam Gonzalez said. “Our goal is to empower every one of our students to take pride in who they are and celebrate differences.”
Storm Elementary will be having their first Cafecito con la Directora Thursday, Sept. 16 at 9:45 a.m. The event will feature a dance performance by the Pre-K students, at home resources for parents, and a few rounds of Lotería.
Araceli Manriquez’s sixth grade students at Bonham Academy will be doing mini presentations to elementary students on significant contributors of Mexican descent.
For Brackenridge history teacher Gilbert Flores, the messages of Hispanic Heritage Month are taught all throughout the year.
“I take really great pride in putting my students’ identities at the center of our learning and the center of the curriculum,” Flores said. “When the culture of our students is at the forefront, there is no limit to student achievement.”
The history classes Flores teaches will specifically be studying labor leader and educator Emma Tenayuca this month.
“It is important for the young chicanas at Brackenridge High school to know this was a home of a civil rights pioneer,” Flores said. “I’m proud to share those stories with my students.”
For more resources on Hispanic Heritage Month or to share what your campus is doing, visit https://www.saisd.net/page/HispanicHeritage