Rupley Students Celebrate Their Heritage During Hispanic Heritage Month
In a celebration of culture and community, students in Ms. Ontaneda’s Dual Language class at Rupley Elementary recently engaged in a special project for Hispanic Heritage Month. The project allowed students to explore their family’s heritage, traditions, and cultural backgrounds, fostering a deeper connection between home and school.
“This project bridged home-school partnerships and encouraged families to engage with their students about their heritage,” said Ms. Ontaneda. “As a dual language teacher, it is my priority to create opportunities for students to develop pride in who they are as bilingual individuals and to appreciate the rich cultural diversity in our world.”
The Communications Department had the opportunity to visit Ms. Ontaneda’s class, where students proudly presented their family stories and favorite traditions. Johnny, whose family hails from Mexico, shared a family picture from his birthday party and noted his love for tinga de pollo and the tradition of Día de los Muertos. Classmate Ariana also represented Mexico, highlighting her favorite foods like tacos and her cherished tradition of celebrating the Virgin Guadalupe.
Marian, who was born in Colombia, spoke about her favorite cultural tradition of Colombian music and food, particularly her favorite dish—arepas. Dairon, a new student from Mexico, enthusiastically presented his project, sharing a photo of his mom, dad, and siblings while noting his favorite traditional foods of tacos and nachos. Rene, another student from Mexico, celebrated his heritage by sharing his fondness for tacos que pica (spicy tacos) and the tradition of Día de los Muertos.
Leading up to the project, Ms. Ontaneda introduced her students to the 21 Spanish-speaking countries around the globe, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the diversity within Hispanic cultures. Every morning, students recite the goals of the Dual Language Program, which emphasize bilingualism, biliteracy, and cultural awareness.
“All students bring their own traditions and experiences to the classroom, which helps to develop a strong sense of community,” Ms. Ontaneda noted. “I learn so much from my students; their pride in their families and heritage is evident. It’s my calling to teach them about the value of their language and culture, strengthening their self-image and pride.”
Students expressed that their favorite part of the project was listening to friends share their stories, enjoying their favorite foods, and spending quality time working on the project with their families. They enjoyed it so much that they have a desire to do another project in the near future.
Through this experience, Rupley Elementary students not only learned about their own backgrounds but also celebrated the rich diversity of cultures that enhance their school community.
