ROCKFORD, IL- Students at Whitehead Elementary School took a break from their regular studies Oct. 16 to learn about Mexican folk dance in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Dancing is universal. Our kids love music. They love dancing,” said Whitehead Principal Paula Randall. “Being able to see another culture represent — that is just amazing.”
The assembly featured Ballet Folklórico, a traditional Mexican folk dance performed by the local dance group Mosaico Cultural, and a salsa dance lesson taught by Whitehead tutor Jacques Saint-Cyr and Dean Karina Valdez.
According to Randall, out of the more than 600 students that attend Whitehead Elementary, 54% are bilingual, many of whom speak Spanish and come from Hispanic families.
“Our kiddos see lots of different cultures all day long,” Randall said. “We want to teach them to be accepting and loving of everyone.”
Along with the assembly, Whitehead students hosted various celebrations, such as dressing up and displaying decorative crafts to honor Hispanic Heritage Month through September and October.
Kara Hawley is a photographer for the Rockford Register Star. She can be reached at kghawley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Local elementary school finds new ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage
