Parkwood Elementary in Clarksville hosts fiesta to teach, learn Mexican traditions

Clark County

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June 3, 2009

Culture club

By TARA HETTINGER The News and Tribune Wed Jun 03, 2009, 01:59 PM EDT

CLARKSVILLE — A growing Hispanic population at Parkwood Elementary School is causing one teacher to step up, organizing a celebration to recognize students’ heritage and educate others about Mexico.

Just 10 years ago, Parkwood’s enrollment consisted of less than 2 percent Hispanic students. Now, that number is nearly 24 percent, totaling 127 students in the school of 534, according to the Indiana Department of Education.

Allison Walker teaches first grade at the school and for the first time, she taught a SIOP, or a Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, Model classroom this year, meaning she had all English as a Second Language, or ESL, students — 17 in all.

So, she organized a fiesta Tuesday for all students in first grade, where kids spent time learning about Mexican culture, tasting Mexican food, dancing and more.

“I felt like we have a really large Hispanic population here and I thought it would be something to show the [non-ESL] kids their background and to let them know more about them,” Walker said. “For the ESL kids, I think it helps them feel more involved and included.”

“We hope that they learn to appreciate and value other cultures,” said first-grade teacher Deanna Maupin, who had students play music and dance. “If they are Mexican, they can become aware of things they may not have even known and be proud of their heritage.”

Parents were invited to join in on the celebration and some Hispanic parents even cooked authentic Mexican-style food.

“It’s fun, because it’s a tradition of Mexico ... and I want them to know [my heritage],” 7-year-old Jessica Sandoval said.

“It’s like fun, but they don’t understand us when we talk to them in Spanish,” 7-year-old Yeimi Sanchez said. “I hope that they learn that it doesn’t matter if they understand us or not, [everybody is the same].”

Kids said they enjoyed learning about their classmates’ culture.

“I think it’s fun, because we get to make piñatas, dance and make music,” Savannah Spencer, 7, said.

“It’s pretty much different, because the food and the flag is different,” 7-year-old Josiah Richie said, adding that he likes the food, especially the egg rolls.

Walker said she hopes to make this fiesta an annual event, possibly expanding to include the rest of the school.

INSIDE PARKWOOD

• 2008-09 enrollment: 534

• Ethnicity: 54 percent white, 24 percent Hispanic, 14 percent black and 8 percent multiracial

• Title 1 funded

— Indiana Dept. of Education