The only indications that the Huber Street School gym had anything special were the few items pinned to the black curtain along the stage: a handful of sombreros and a collection of Latino dresses.
Then there was Martha Galdiz, the school’s World Language teacher, decked out in an authentic Latin dress so bright, it seemed to glow. She was not alone. As students filed in from their classes elsewhere in the school, many of them also wore articles of clothing from a variety of Latin countries, some destined to perform a song or dance on the stage. But many were like fourth grade student Christopher Segarra, who wore a huge sombrero and said he dressed up out of pride.
“My family is Spanish,” he said.
The day of song, dance, and essays on Latin culture, held in late October, was geared around the annual national celebration called “National Hispanic Heritage Month,” which starts on Sept. 15 each year, coinciding with six major events that happened in Latin countries. The observation was first started in 1968 as a week-long celebration, but was increased to a month in 1988 as a result of an act of Congress.
“In our district, Spanish is our second language,” said Huber Street School Principal Pat Coccuci.
In the late 1990s, each school district had to select a language of choice that would meet the requirements of the state Core Curriculum Standards.
“Along with teaching our students to read and speak the language, Ms. Galdiz tries to bring a little of the culture to them as well,” Coccuci said.
Not all of the kids dressed up, but many did, and those involved with the program studied dances or Latino heroes, reading essays about those heroes who had an impact on American culture. Many of the performers dressed up in brightly colored costumes, and gave renditions of popular Latino dances.
“This is part of a study of many people from different lands,” said Galdiz. Songs and dances came from Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Columbia. While the kids enjoyed the event, some said it was a lot of work to learn the dances and songs. “The students did their own research,” Galdiz said. “We guided them. Many students got information off the web.”
This was an all-volunteer effort by the kids, who were not required for a grade to take part in the show. Even the school chorus got into the act with a rendition of the song “DeCloeres.”
“This is a very famous Spanish song from the 1600s,” Galdiz said. “People sing it on all special occasions.”
She encouraged non-participating students in the audience to sing along.
Galdiz later said she wanted to show students the culture to help them connect with the language. This way they can see, feel and touch the people whose language they are seeking to learn. Last year, as part of this effort, Huber Street School invited West New York Mayor and state Assembly Speaker Albio Sires to talk about his experiences. Sires came to the United States from Cuba as a boy, and has served as one of the most significant local Latino role models.
“This has been a very rewarding experience,” Galdiz said. “We’ve found that the kids are very interested and they are very hungry to learn more. Bringing in the culture make the learning easier, and it provides connections between words they already know and their context.”