Forest View Dual Language Class Celebrates Mother’s Day
Although many cultures may celebrate it differently – including incorporating different traditions and even celebrating it on different days – there is a day where many cultures honor special women all over the globe.
It’s called Mother’s Day.
Forest View students in the Dual Language (DL) program chose Wednesday, May 10, as their day of celebration of motherhood, because that date coincides with when El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico celebrate the event. According to Dual Language teacher Zaida Quiñones, the students that make up the DL program in her class can trace their ancestry to Mexico.
In Latin America, Mother’s Day is celebrated on different days, some in May on various days, one in August, one in October and even one in December.
According to Quiñones, it was very exciting to the students to have an authentic tradition happen at Forest View. “Having an appropriate representation of a Mother’s Day celebration, according to the demographics of the classroom since every student was asked where their family originated from, is a first step forward in creating an experience of acceptance,” she said. “It was a way to set the path for many more traditional celebrations.”
In the Mexican culture, families celebrate mothers with the gifting of various items such as bouquets of roses and serenades by either the children themselves or Mariachi Bands. A get-together among the families includes traditional cuisine. ‘Papel picado,’ which is cut and patterned tissue paper utilized as decorative items among big flowers folded with the same tissue paper, is also a tradition.
On May 10, the Forest View DL students created ‘papel picado,’ planted flowers and painted flower pots, and practiced ‘Mamá’, a customary song dedicated to their mothers. Mariano’s was kind enough to donate enough flowers to the classroom so that each student was able to give one to his or her mother.
Students were delighted to see their moms participate, and proudly served them a light snack while they enjoyed each other’s company.
“The attendance of every mother proves how much this celebration is valued in their countries and the result of the strong relationship building Ms. Quiñones has achieved with each one of them,” said Melissa Tejeda, community outreach specialist for the district.
Forest View Principal Meg Weickert commented, “It was very touching to see how each student was very proud to present their mother with a flower and to see the participation of all the mothers.”
CCSD59 schools organize student presentations for their mothers that include reciting poems, singing, dance, and music. Flowers and other gifts are also presented to mothers by their children. In all different ways, from the simple to the complex, students across the district took a moment to simply say, “Thanks, Mom.”