The students in Carmen Hernandez' first-grade Dual-Language class along with the first-grade classes taught by Samantha Allen and Ann Phillips at Chicago Heights School District 170's Roosevelt School recently celebrated the traditional Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
In preparing for the celebration, Hernandez' students worked with their families in making ofrendas (altars and offerings) as a way to learn about the culture of Mexico and the importance of the "Day of the Dead" as an essential tradition of the Mexican people.
"Our students and their families worked very hard to bring this observance of Dia de los Muertos to life," Hernandez said.
"It was most gratifying to see families come together to celebrate this important day and bring about a greater understanding of the Mexican culture and the traditions of its people," she added.
"I believe that is very important for all of our students to learn about different cultures and traditions," Allen said, while Phillips noted, "I was glad to see families embracing a new tradition and being willing to create an altar for their loved ones."
The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States. The celebration focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died and to help support their spiritual journey.
Spanish conquistadores brought the observance of Dia de los Muertos to Mexico, and the celebration usually coincides with All Saints Day and All Souls Day in the Catholic calendar.)
The celebration honors the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and various activities that the dead enjoyed in life. It also recognizes that death, like birth, childhood, and adulthood, is a natural part of the human experience.
"I was gratified to see that a Dia de los Muertos celebration took place in Ms. Hernandez' first-grade classroom," said Mary Kay Entsminger, District 170's Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
"Activities like this one that involves students, their family and friends, and members of our service communities embrace an essential goal of our district by providing an outstanding educational opportunity for students while offering activities and celebrations that honor the heritage and cultures that make up the District 170 community," Entsminger concluded.