Wilson Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

by Andrea Ruth, Assistant Head of School

​At Wilson, it always starts with our mission. This is especially true in our work with diversity because we want our students to have a respect for and value of differences in people and points of view. Diversity exists in the languages we speak, the colors of our skin, our gender and age, the traditions we observe, the structures of our families, the financial and educational resources in our families, and the special talents and needs we may have. We believe our heritage, beliefs, and choices of expression help to define us as individuals and that our commitment to learning about one another and the larger world unites us as a community. One of our methods is to honor commemorative months in our program.  We also have the goal of communicating such activities to our families.
 
With all grades (in person for PK-1st, and via recorded virtual sessions for all other grades), the meaning and importance of Hispanic Heritage Month were shared during library classes, using a world map with younger grades to help them visualize where we live and where Spanish-speaking countries are located.  Immigrants and immigrant communities and the value they bring to the US and our art and culture were discussed.
 
A variety of literature was shared with students: 

• My Papi has a Motorcycle (PK, SK, 1st) - Students completed a corresponding drawing activity to reinforce ideas raised in the book.

• Alma and How She Got Her Name (JK, 2nd, 3rd) - The importance of names were discussed and students shared with their peers about their own names.
• Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match (SK) - They listened to a reading of the story in both English and Spanish.
• “Imagine” (SK) - The poem was read by the author, the first Mexican American Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera.
• Tia Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina and Abuells, Two Bright Minds by Juana Medina (3rd)
• First Chapter Read Aloud of Merci Saurez Changes Gears (2018 Newbery winner!) for 4th-6th, posted on self-paced Pear Deck so they can view it at their convenience.
• Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Favia Drago (PK-1st) -  In art class, students watched a video of the author and illustrator who is heavily influenced by Hispanic culture and Day of the Dead. Students worked with oil pastels on black paper to create a scene from the book that inspired them.

• Sunday Story of Islandborn, a story written by a Dominican-American author about an immigrant's experience in a new country.
• Teachers added books by Hispanic authors to their Epic book assignments for students.
• A slide show for the library TV was created and displayed throughout the month, highlighting Mexico and Hispanic American authors and their books.

 
Additionally, SK looked at Hispanic countries and their flags on a world map and then replicated flags of these countries. First and third grades learned about the Mexican holiday, El Dia de Los Muertos, discussing how the holiday focuses on the importance of heritage, culture, and remembrance and honoring of loved ones who have passed on. Different foods, celebrations, costumes, and music were explored. Fifth and sixth grades watched a Lincoln Center concert of the Villalobos Brothers. Finally, a banner was created and displayed in front of the school. The Wilson School is proud to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month!