This week wrapped up National Hispanic Heritage Month, and our Frenship students celebrated the month with a variety of activities and lessons. At the beginning of October, the Frenship High School Spanish Club hosted a Hispanic Heritage Celebration inviting the Frenship Community to learn more about the Hispanic culture.  

Third graders at Willow Bend Elementary showcased their creativity by drawing and labeling flags from countries like Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador. Second grade students researched influential Hispanic figures for their biography reports. 

Students at Terra Vista Middle School dove into presentations on Spanish-speaking countries and influential Hispanic leaders. They filled the hallways with their research and artwork.  

“We ended the unit with a celebration fiesta in which students brought foods and drinks with mostly Hispanic themes,” said Griselda Acevedo, Terra Vista Spanish Teacher. 

Students in the Spanish classes at Frenship Middle School treated the staff in their break room with a donation of chips and salsa to enjoy.  

At Ridgewood Elementary, students spent the month learning about Hispanic history and culture. They wrapped up the month of learning with a celebration where students broke piñatas and did the cumbia dance together.  

“At this party, students were able to perform the dances that they learned in music class as well as hit pinatas that they created in art class,” said Emma Aun, Ridgewood Music Teacher. “Leading up to the event, Mrs. Chapman taught students the history of Hispanic Heritage Month, as well as the different cultures that are included in this month.” 

The art teacher helped each class create a pinata that students decorated. The PE coach provided the bats/sticks and taught the students how to swing and make contact with the piñatas. Parents and PTA donated candy for the piñatas.    

“In Art, 3rd-5th grade students helped build box piñatas, K-2nd made paper piñatas while learning about real piñata-makers! We also observed Spanish art, Mexican art, and Aztec art. We are currently working on Aztec inspired feathers and will be making sugar skulls to finish out Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Stephanie Lara, Ridgewood Art Teacher.  

To prepare for the celebration, students learned different dances in the music class.  

“In music class this month, I have been teaching dances from different Hispanic backgrounds, as well as showing students musical icons from those cultures,” said Aun. “I think that their favorite part of the fiesta was showing off their hard work, as well as seeing the candy fly out of the piñata!” 

Aun believes that participating in different cultural lessons and activities can help open student's eyes to diversity around them.  

“Celebrating different cultures is so important because it promotes inclusivity and celebrates the diversity that we have here in Frenship and around the world,” said Aun. 

Awesome work, Frenship students and staff!