Durfee School celebrated Día De Los Muertos, inviting people from all over the community to come and celebrate with food, music, activities, and face painting. Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a two-day Mexican holiday that is dedicated to honor and celebrate our deceased loved ones. Families create ofrendas (altars) to honor their departed family members. They decorate the ofrendas with favorite foods, photos, and mementos of the departed. This is a joyous and vibrant occasion with music and gatherings at the cemeteries to keep the memories of our departed alive.
“The Day of the Dead event is an important cultural staple in the Latino community. By allowing the public to attend the event, we are promoting cultural understanding and awareness, as well as honoring cultural diversity,” explained Martiza Duenas. EMCSD is part of a majority Latino community and keeps the community aware of cultural activities.
Durfee’s celebration included a live mariachi band serenading the entire event and little ofrendas made by the students. Durfee Parent Carolina S. shared, “A lot of traditions are fading away and it's really good for the kids to be exposed to different cultures and I think everybody can relate to this [event].”
The EMCSD community is multicultural and prides itself on the inclusivity of the community. “I feel that it is important for the community because it brings everybody together, and since a lot of parents are not aware of the traditions of other cultures that are present in the community,” voiced Yesenia O., Durfee Parent.
“Celebrating cultural diversity through events like Día de los Muertos shows the community that EMCSD is an inclusive and welcoming environment,” stated Duenas.
Other schools throughout EMCSD also hosted intimate Dia de los Muertos events. Potrero, Frank Wright, Cleminson, and New Lexington had school community altars inviting students and staff to showcase their loved ones and share their stories.
