Grand Rapids Christian Schools Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

AUTHORS:

Vanessa Abreu
Preschool — 8th Grade Spanish Immersion Coordinator

Raquel Rodríguez
SI Coordinator/Teacher, Grand Rapids Christian High School

Hispanic Heritage Month actually began as Hispanic Heritage Week by Representative Edward R. Roybal from Los Angeles and was signed into law in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, it became Hispanic Heritage Month by President Ronald Reagan. It is celebrated starting on September 15 because that date is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days in September. 

Did you know that there are 59.9 million Hispanic people in the United States? That makes up 18.5% of the population in our country. 

Hispanic people have fought for the United States since the American Revolution. Latinos today are leaders across the country as small business owners, lawyers, teachers, and much more! It is important to celebrate this month to recognize their achievements in paving the way for so many people in the United States. 

At the Grand Rapids Christian Elementary Schools and Grand Rapids Christian Middle School, teachers are sharing a Google slideshow with students of 41 Hispanic people who have made a positive impact on our community. At the Middle School level, students are researching, doing projects, and presenting on one of these individuals as well.

We are also sharing videos of Hispanic people right here in our very own Grand Rapids Christian Schools community and getting to know each of their cultures a little better. 

The Iroquois campus librarian, Betty-Ann Boss, has a remarkable lineup of biographies about Hispanic people that she will share with kindergartners through 4th graders. 

We are so excited to share our cultures with the GRCS community. Sharing our cultures is part of telling our stories, and as we tell our stories, we come together as the body of Christ. In Him, ALL THINGS hold together in the midst of our differences.  

One way that we are “Preparing students to be effective servants of Christ in contemporary society” is by raising up “culturally competent” students. This celebration enables our students to learn about other people, cultures, and ideologies different than, and similar to, their own.

We hope that through our intentional recognition and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the entire GRCS community will embrace the Hispanic cultures represented in our schools and lead to a commitment to be “thoughtful neighbors” to all around. 

Hispanic Heritage display at Grand Rapids Christian Elementary School Iroquois Campus
 

Hispanic Heritage display at Grand Rapids Christian Elementary Middle School

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*NOTE: The Grand Rapids Public Library has put together a schedule of events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Programs for both kids and adults that highlight and celebrate our Latinx community. Many events are virtual and can be found right on their Facebook page.

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Grand Rapids Christian Schools Hispanic Heritage Month Videos

 

Magali Lathowers — Grand Rapids Christian Schools Parent

 

Luis Avila — Grand Rapids Christian Schools Parent

 

Joshua & Martha Elliott — Grand Rapids Christian Schools Parents

 

Raquel Rodríguez — GRCHS Spanish Immersion Coordinator & Spanish Teacher

 

Jimmy David — GRCMS Spanish Immersion Teacher