Dallas ISD To Observe Hispanic Heritage Month

15 Sep 2010

Schools will celebrate with traditional dances, songs, and attires, as well as special guests

DALLAS–With this year's theme Heritage, Diversity, Integrity and Honor: The Renewed Hope of America the Dallas Independent School District will observe and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

The dates for the national celebration originally were chosen because several Latin American countries, whose immigrants make up the Hispanic community in the United States, celebrate their independence day around Sept. 15.

Schools throughout the district will have events which include student performances of traditional dances, songs, and attires, and will entertain special guests.

Below are some of the events that will take place in Dallas ISD schools:

• Middle College High School will host a breakfast and traditional dances to tell the story of the Mexican Flag and Independence. The program is scheduled at 9 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 16. The school is located at 701 Elm.
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• Harry Stone Montessori Academy, 4747 Veterans Dr., will celebrate with a visit to the Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak St., to view the play "Leona, Vicatio." Fourth through eighth graders will attend the event at 10 a.m., on Thursday, Sept. 16. The school also will host a celebration for pre-k through 3rd graders on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m., at the school, featuring Harry Stone's string, orchestra, piano, and theater students.
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• On Thursday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m., students from Eduardo Mata Elementary School, 7420 La Vista Dr., will perform Hispanic folk tales and will have a walk of fame showcase.
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• Reinhardt Elementary School, 10122 Losa Dr., has planned a schoolwide celebration of Hispanic literature for Friday, Sept. 24. Faculty and students will dress in cultural attire. As part of the school's Drop Everything and Read program, teachers will read to students about the culture, history, and achievements of individuals who made a lasting impact for future generations.
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• Tom C. Gooch Elementary School, 4040 Calculus Dr., will host a celebration with student's cultural performances at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30.
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• Celestino Mauricio Soto Jr. Elementary School, 4510 W. Jefferson Blvd., will have a Hispanic Heritage Month Parade, at 1:45 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 8. Students in each grade level studied the culture of a Latin American country and will dress in the native dresses of that country and parade through the school's hallways with flags and music of the country that they are representing.
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• Students from Thomas Tolbert Elementary School, 400 Blue Ridge, will explore the arts of ancient and modern México, through a hands-on-activities program, on Monday, Oct. 11, at 9:30 a.m. Special guests include volunteers from the Dallas Museum of Art.
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• City Park Elementary School, 1738 Gano St., will host cultural performances and a fashion show during the school's Hispanic-American Celebration, on Friday, Oct. 15, at 1 p.m. The theme for the celebration is "Hispanic Heritage and Contributions. We are America."

"Dallas ISD has improved more than any other urban district in Texas and more than all but one urban district in the country in narrowing the achievement gap."