Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15-Oct. 15, so how are school divisions in the Historic Triangle celebrating?
Books, lesson plans and class curriculums.
“As part of the division’s long-term strategic plan, each school develops cultural learning opportunities that help prepare our students to engage with diverse populations in our local and global community,” Katherine Goff, spokeswoman for the York County School Division, wrote in an email.
According to the division’s website, about 10.92% of the student population identifies as Hispanic.
“While some schools might incorporate specific activities based on recognized national dates, others may incorporate activities dependent on course subject/curriculum throughout the school year,” she said.
She added the Virginia Department of Education provides a variety of resources for schools and teachers to use to celebrate the histories and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors hail from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
“The WJCC elementary social studies curriculum emphasizes the contributions of Hispanic Americans and other groups as students explore the value of diversity to democratic citizenship,” Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools spokeswoman Eileen Cox wrote in an email.
Did you know, Hispanic Heritage has been observed since 1968? President Ronald Reagan expanded it from one week to one…
Posted by Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools on Friday, September 25, 2020
She noted the middle and high school courses teach students about “contributions of Hispanic immigrants to our culture, economy, and society; and key moments in Hispanic-American history” through the United States history, world history, geography, civics and economics and government.
Some examples of Hispanic history include the Spanish empire in the Americas and “reform movements” by Cesar Chaves and Dolores Huerta, she added.
“In addition, each school has a staff member designated as the multicultural engagement advocate (MEA),” Cox wrote. “The MEAs are providing teachers with resources and lesson plan ideas to support Hispanic Heritage Month as well as a grade-level appropriate book list that supports the exploration of Hispanic heritage and figures.”
At WJCC Schools, 13.9% of students identified as Hispanic for the 2019-2020 school year, Cox said.
The 2020-2021 school year enrollment is not reported until Sept. 30, she added.
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