The passing of time and the passing of loved ones is a universal experience. That means that we all experience it at one point or another, but the ways we honor those long (or not so long) gone vary from place to place. In New Orleans, funeral processions often include a live band that plays joyful music. In some cultures there are specific days when people go to visit their loved ones at the cemetery like on American Memorial Day, Christian All Souls' Day, or more. Some people honor their ancestors or events that occurred in the past through special meals like the ones held on Chuseok or by lighting a candle like the yarhzeit candle on Yom Kippur to honor parents who have passed. In many of these traditions, what is honored is the memory of that person - the things they liked, the great things they did, and the time spent together.

A student once shared with me that in her family, when a member of her family passed away, their initials would be carved in bracelets and each family member would receive one. She explained that she is literally carrying the memory of her loved one with her whenever she wears the bracelet. Just like my student, we carry those we love with us in the ways that we remember them.

This month, we are taking a special look at different ways our community remembers loved ones. We are creating a community ofrenda, a display traditionally part of Dia de los Muertos. An ofrenda often has pictures of loved ones displayed with items that they like- their favorite foods, toys, trinkets, and more. We will also be highlighting other holidays that commemorate others. Come and learn with us!

Click here to learn more about Ways We Remember Loved Ones at the Glen Grove Community Project site.

In collaboration the Spanish Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) and the PTA, the Community Project will be hosting an after-school event to create an ofrenda. All Gator families are welcome to attend- parents, grandparents, and other family members.

Please make sure to sign up for your spot!

We hope to see you there!

We will soon be asking for participation in the next phase of the Glen Grove Community Project. This will arrive via Google Form some time soon! Please keep your eyes out for the Participation Form! Families who participated last year will receive a message from Cathy Kedjidjian regarding sharing information on the website we are developing. Stay tuned for more!

Disney's Coco is a beautiful and colorful movie that depicts the traditions and beliefs surrounding Dia de los Muertos. It features actors and screenwriters of Hispanic and Latino background and a crew that dedicated time to make trips to Mexico to learn about this tradition. The story follows Miguel, an aspiring musician from a practical shoemaking family who is preparing for Dia de los Muertos. He strums a magical guitar that was displayed in his idol's mausoleum and he is transported to the Land of the Dead. Once there, he meets many of his relatives who his family traditionally honors on Dia de los Muertos as well as other eccentric characters.

Rated PG

By Mrs. Perrin

The Jewish people honor their ancestors by observing and passing down the culture’s, values, rituals, traditions, and history from generation to generation (called L'dor Vador in Hebrew).

There are also special times when we remember those that have come before us. One holiday is called Sukkot. Sukkot is a Jewish festival giving thanks for the fall harvest. It also reminds us of the 40 years the Jews wandered in the desert after escaping Egypt.

On Sukkot, many people build a Sukkah, which means “booth” or “hut” in Hebrew, in their backyards. The sukkah is used for meals, and sometimes for sleeping, during the week long holiday. The huts are symbolic of the shelters famers had while gathering the fall harvest and also a reminder of the type of temporary shelters the Jewish people lived in for the 40 years they wandered in the desert. In a welcoming ceremony, our ancestors are symbolically invited to join us for meals in the sukkah.

Mrs. Perrin is one of the intervention associates at Glen Grove School. She helps students with reading and math.

How does your family remember loved ones who have passed on?

Email: GGCommunityProject@gmail.com