On Oct. 4, Leesburg Elementary hosted its fifth annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
Leesburg families with Hispanic roots brought in a wide-variety of traditional foods, drinks and desserts to share together in a lively convivio, or fellowship, in the school cafeteria to celebrate their heritage with other parents, students and staff members.
The evening began with a bilingual staff member sharing her story of developing as an English language learner by reading with her parents each night. Then the students had the opportunity to read a book with their parents. All attendees left with a packet of family-centered literacy activities.
Prior to the event, students in Leesburg Elementary School’s English language learners program studied many aspects of Hispanic culture and history during Hispanic Heritage Month, which was Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
One fourth-grade parent expressed her thanks and said, "Desde la Noche de Herencia Hispana, empecé a leer con mi hijo todas las tardes” (Ever since the Hispanic Heritage Night, I began to read with my son every evening).
Many other parents have also expressed their appreciation for the encouragement and tools provided to read with their children at home.
