Hispanic Heritage Takes Center Stage Across Linden

Across all 11 schools, music, literature, art and dance connect students with culture and one another.

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ (Sept. 24) — From the rhythm of live performances to the pages of a shared book, Linden Public Schools is celebrating Hispanic heritage through a month of learning across all 11 schools.

Assemblies, classroom artwork, reading activities and cultural celebrations are inviting students to explore traditions, share their backgrounds and discover more about one another. In a district where 3,456 students identify as Hispanic, representing 54.5% of its 6,337 students, those experiences connect directly to the families who help shape school life every day.

National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, recognizes the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic Americans. Across Linden, it also creates opportunities for students of every background to participate.

Learning That Builds Connections

The month’s activities connect cultural exploration with reading, the arts and student participation. Children can encounter a new author, recognize a familiar tradition or share something about their family’s background.

Those experiences bring the district’s ROAR pillars of Opportunities and Relationships into daily school life. They also support its mission of empowering learners through collaboration and growth, making room for students to contribute their perspectives while learning from others.

At School No. 2, the district’s largest elementary school, that learning came with music, movement and a journey through Mexican history, offering a colorful example of the cultural exploration taking place throughout Linden.

A Musical Journey Through Mexico

Two lively, hourlong assemblies captivated School No. 2 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade Sept. 17. The New York City-based ensemble Mexico Beyond Mariachi presented “Trekking Mexico,” bringing history and traditions to life through singing, dance, storytelling and colorful traditional clothing.

“We celebrate you in all of our cultures and our diversity,” Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins told students in welcoming remarks.

Perkins joined Assistant Superintendent Annabell Louis, Board of Education President Malaysia Thomas and board member Lymari Cintron for the celebration.

Performers shifted between singing, dancing and playing instruments as they introduced students to Indigenous heritage and the influences that have shaped Mexican culture. The program offered one window into the many cultures recognized during the month.

For ensemble co-founder Peter Bogdanos, the goal is to introduce young audiences to traditions “beyond what they would typically see in the media.”

Older Readers, Younger Listeners

School No. 2’s exploration continues Sept. 25, when selected fifth graders will visit younger students’ classrooms to share books by Hispanic authors and stories with Hispanic themes.

The visits connect cultural learning with literacy, giving older students an opportunity to lead while helping their younger schoolmates discover new stories. Reading together also builds relationships across grade levels, turning a schoolwide celebration into a personal exchange between students.

School No. 2 will host a Hispanic Heritage Dance Assembly on Oct. 2. At School No. 4, a Hispanic Heritage Month Zumba Night will offer another way to participate through music and movement.

Many Cultures, One School Community

School No. 10 will conclude the observance Oct. 15 with its first Cultural Day, inviting students to represent their heritage through colors, clothing or accessories.

The event will celebrate all cultures represented in the school community. A parent survey will help identify families interested in participating and the cultures they wish to share.

A schoolwide assembly will showcase participating countries and cultures through flags and interesting facts, giving students opportunities to learn about their classmates’ backgrounds.