Every fall, our school community celebrates the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos as part of the grades Spanish language program. In preparation for the event, students, teachers, and parent volunteers help create a colorful altar in the breezeway, filled with photographs of loved ones, flowers, candles, and decorative skulls while the ceiling was decorated with colorful papel picado.

In addition to collaborating on the traditional Day of the Dead altar, students in grades 1-8 participate in an all-school assembly on Friday, October 31, performing songs, poems, and music that celebrates the cultural and heritage of Spanish-speaking countries across the world.

Our Spanish language teacher Señora Loreto shares, “The Day of the Dead (El Día de Muertos or El Día de los Muertos) is a traditional holiday celebrated annually on November 1 and 2, though in some regions it may also extend to October 31 or November 6. This multi-day observance brings together family and friends to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. While the holiday commemorates the dead, it often takes on a celebratory tone, as participants share fond memories and recount joyful stories about the departed. Although it is widely associated with Mexico, where the tradition developed, it is also celebrated in other countries, particularly by those of Mexican descent. Rooted in ancient Aztec and Indigenous Mexican customs, the Day of the Dead has become a way to pay tribute to ancestors and the cultural heritage they passed down. The festivities are known for their vibrant and lively atmosphere.”