Celebrating Hispanic heritage

Learning about Hispanic, Latin cultures

CALN >> Caln Elementary School students were transported to a different land, as they participated in a Latin Crossover performance that incorporated music and dance from Hispanic and Latin cultures, and even included a conga line.

Caln is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day, both of which are celebrated by some of the families of the 25 percent of students in the school who are of Hispanic descent. The Crossover assembly kicked off the school’s celebration which also included students speaking about why they are proud of their culture.

“Multi-cultural celebrations help students feel both a sense of pride and belonging,” said Assistant Principal Sarita Brown Mitchell, who helped organize the event. “I wanted to ensure our students had a few cultural experiences to help celebrate the diverse population of our Caln family.”

The Latin Crossover Assembly was a performance by Phil-

adelphia-based music company Musicopia, and led by Cuban born pianist Maria del Pico Taylor and her husband Raymond Taylor. The ensemble consisted of the keyboard, cello, drums, a vocalist and a Latin/flamenco dancer.

“I hope that students learned that there is great value in our differences,” said Mitchell. “Our goal is to show our students that they may differ in ways that are deeper than appearances, and regardless of these differences, whether language, dress or beliefs, we are still one Caln family and we should be proud of what makes us unique. I hope that our students learned that we can celebrate these differences together.”

Many of the students who participated in the assembly wore dresses, skirts, flowers and sombreros which were all provided by Caln’s two English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers, Wendy Clark and Danielle Palmer. One student wore a skirt that was handmade by her father in the colors of the Mexican flag. Clark and Palmer have put together a number of activities and lessons that will be used in the classroom throughout the month to help students learn more about Latin American culture.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated

“Our goal is to show our students that they may differ in ways that are deeper than appearances, and regardless of these differences, whether language, dress or beliefs, we are still one Caln family and we should be proud of what makes us unique.” — Sarita Brown Mitchell, Caln Elementary assistant principal

from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the United States to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the group’s heritage and culture.

Caln Elementary, of the Coatesville Area School District, will celebrate Black History Month in February 2017 with an assembly by the African American Mu- seum of Philadelphia, with a focus on storytelling.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Caln Elementary School students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Deborah Saldana dances with Caln Elementary School student Yarelis Perez.

Dancer Deborah Saldana and Caln Elementary School teacher Bryan McConnell dance together. Pictured are: Anais Rosas, left, Jorelys Rivera-Rodriguez, right, Luzely Guadarrama, front row, and Alana Pineiro, back row.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Students pictured are: Anais Rosas, Luzely Guadarrama, Elizabeth Recillas-Quintero, Jennifer Recillas-Quintero and Alana Pineiro. Many of the students who participated in the assembly wore dresses, skirts, flowers and sombreros, which were all provided...