by Reilly H. and Riley S.

Every student in a Spanish class at Alamo Heights Junior School gets the chance to learn about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Students explore this important celebration in early November, close to the time it is actually celebrated. “Altars are made with pictures, candles, and flowers,” says Ivonne Harrison, one of the Spanish teachers at the Junior School. These altars celebrate the life of a loved one by displaying items that were important to them. Day of the Dead is celebrated all over the world, and the Spanish teachers at the Junior School are passionate about teaching students about this tradition. “Día de los Muertos is a celebration from Mexico in which we remember and honor our loved ones who have passed away,” explains Camilla Acosta, another Spanish teacher at the Junior School.

Día de los Muertos is filled with celebration and culture. At the Junior School, this celebration emphasizes the deep historical roots of the tradition. “It originated during the time of the Aztecs, before the colonization of Mexico,” explains Sra. Acosta. Beyond its historical origin, Día de los Muertos teaches important lessons that help students understand their cultural heritage.

At the Junior School, students learn about many aspects of Día de los Muertos. “We focus on the cultural aspect,” says Sra. Harrison. Students have the opportunity to learn about the traditions, customs, and foods associated with the celebration.

One significant element of Día de los Muertos is the food. “Pan de muerto, or bread of the dead,” describes Sra. Acosta. Sra. Harrison adds that students also learn about how the “food that the loved one enjoyed when they were alive” is placed on the altar.

While food is important, another key symbol of Día de los Muertos is La Catrina. Sra. Acosta explains that in some stories, La Catrina is the “ruler of the realm of the dead.”

Día de los Muertos is a cultural and special time to remember loved ones, celebrate their lives, and connect with the cultural heritage of those we have lost. “It’s a celebration of life, not death,” says Sra. Harrison.