Hispanic Heritage Night brought Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary families together September 30 for an evening of music, art, food, dance and family connection.
The celebration was organized through Community Schools United, a United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley strategy. Community Schools United works alongside schools to strengthen relationships with students and families. The strategy also creates opportunities for families to connect with their schools and one another.
At MLK Elementary, Community School Coordinator Tamara Pizarro works directly with school leaders, families and community partners. Together, they create opportunities for families to engage, connect and feel a sense of belonging at school.
MLK Elementary has about 100 Hispanic students. Hispanic Heritage Month gave the school an opportunity to recognize and celebrate those students and their families.
“Tonight we had the opportunity to celebrate our Hispanic families. We have about 100 Hispanic students here at MLK. And so, during Hispanic Heritage Month, we had the opportunity to have a chance to let them share their traditions and celebrate them,” said Felecia Thompson, principal of Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary.
The evening was filled with music, movement and creativity. Families enjoyed live musical performances, poetry, dancing, arts and crafts, and a fashion show featuring MLK Elementary students.
Celebrating Culture Through Hispanic Heritage Night
One of the evening’s highlights was the Hispanic Heritage fashion show. Students and families proudly shared traditional clothing and celebrated their cultural roots.
Students also performed for their families. Live music, poetry and dancing added to the celebration.
Families worked together to create papel picado. This colorful tissue-paper folk art is traditionally used to decorate celebrations across Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Families added their individual pieces to a larger collaborative mural. The finished mural will be permanently displayed at MLK Elementary.
Local Hispanic-owned businesses also helped bring the celebration to the table. Families enjoyed a free taco bar from La Nacional Mexican Buffet. They also enjoyed traditional paletas, or fruit popsicles, from Paleteria Los Reyes.
Finally, Pizarro led an interactive community dance class. The activity gave families a chance to learn, laugh and celebrate together.
For Thompson, the celebration was about more than one evening. She wanted students and families to know they are valued members of the school.
“They’re very excited. It gives them an opportunity to come together as a community in our school. We appreciate them. We honor them during this time and we love that they’re a part of our school family,” Thompson said.
She also hopes students and families feel loved and seen throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.
Building Connections Through Community Schools United
Creating opportunities for families to connect is an important part of Pizarro’s work as a Community School Coordinator.
Community School Coordinators are embedded in partner schools through Community Schools United. They work with school leaders, educators, families, students and community partners. Together, they identify needs, build relationships and connect families with resources and opportunities.
That work can take many forms. A coordinator might connect a family with a needed resource. They might organize a family workshop or bring a community partner into the school. They might also create an opportunity like Hispanic Heritage Night, where families can celebrate together.
“Celebrating our families’ diverse backgrounds directly shapes a positive school culture and climate,” said Pizarro. “When students see their heritage, language, and traditions honored inside their school, it creates a powerful sense of belonging and helps every child feel seen, valued, and proud of who they are.”
At MLK Elementary, that partnership helps create intentional opportunities for families to connect with the school and support their children’s learning.
“Family engagement is at the heart of everything we do at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary,” said Thompson. “Partnering with Community Schools United allows us to create intentional spaces where our families can connect with our school, support their children’s learning journey, and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that makes our school community so special.”
Hispanic Heritage Night is one example of what that partnership can make possible. Students, families, school staff, volunteers and community partners all had a chance to celebrate together.
Community Schools United has also supported families and students in other ways across its four partner schools in Muscogee County, Georgia, and Russell County, Alabama.
The strategy has supported more than 280,000 hours of afterschool programming. It has also coordinated 1,400+ family referrals and facilitated 5,400+ social-emotional learning touchpoints.
Community Schools United schools have also seen a 13.4% reduction in chronic absenteeism and an 18.1% increase in student readiness.
“Together, We Are More”
The celebration was part of a larger Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at MLK Elementary.
Throughout the school’s Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week, students wore different colors each day to honor the school’s Hispanic community.
The message throughout the week was simple: “Together, we are more.”
Hispanic Heritage Night brought that message to life. Students, families, school staff, volunteers and community partners came together to celebrate.
For Community Schools United, that is an important part of the work. Strong relationships help families feel connected to their schools. They also help schools build stronger support systems around students.
Hispanic Heritage Night is one example of what can happen when schools and community partners create intentional opportunities for families to connect, share their experiences and feel a sense of belonging.
About Community Schools United
Community Schools United is a community-wide strategy led by United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley. The strategy strengthens support systems for students and families.
United Way Community School Coordinators work in partner schools to build relationships, identify needs and connect families with resources. They also bring community opportunities closer to students and families.
The strategy serves four schools across Muscogee County, Georgia, and Russell County, Alabama. United Way implements the strategy in collaboration with the Muscogee County School District, Phenix City Schools, and community partners.
