The girls are enrolled in a Dual- Immersion program at School that not only focuses on biliteracy but also on being bicultural. Classes are made up by 50% English speaking students and 50% Spanish speaking students, which is so important to have a real Dual Immersion experience. The students teach each other, not only the language, but their different culture, even other than just Hispanic cultures.
I feel my kids have always had a really good sense of who they are and very appreciative of their Mexican roots on my side, being part of this program at school has added a deeper sense of it for them. For example: Naomi once came home asking, or more like demanding an explanation of why some of her friends have two last names and she only has one!? Or another time she came to tell me that one of her friends told her she was not a real Mexican because her dad is Anglo. She was very upset about that one - being the girl that grew up telling people that she was from Mexico and she spoke Spanish when introducing her self to strangers- "Right, mom...I AM MEXICAN?" I am so happy it hasn't been the other way around and she did not come home upset about being called "Mexican" like the kids I went to School with in Texas did. They'd get so offended and upset if someone called them "Mexican" or if someone assumed they spoke Spanish, which a lot of them did, or at least understood, but did not want to admit to it as if it was a sign of inferiority. Anyway, I think you can tell that we love our school and the Dual Immersion program. In the past couple of years the parents have made a really big effort to promote cultural events for the kids and their families. One of the main events of the year is the Dia de Muertos Fiesta. It's an exciting event that includes a display of Colorful Nichos and Altares, dance, crafts, and yummy food.
These are some of the altars and some of the activities taken place at tonight's Dia de los Muertos festivity. It was a very exciting night for both children and adults. Can't wait til next year's!
