For the last 15 years TIA has been having 16 de Septiembre celebrations at each campus which takes place during National Hispanic Heritage month. They commemorate this event because the majority of the students that attend TIA are of Hispanic/Mexican heritage. The children learn more about their ancestry and come away with a sense of pride in their background and those not of Hispanic/Mexican roots learn more about the history of Mexico.
What is the 16 de Septiembre about?
Every year the 16 de Septiember is celebrated in Mexico to commemorate the continued independence of the Mexican nation. People watch parades, attend fairs, dancing, and fireworks. These events are similar to the 4th of July celebrations in the U.S. The Mexican celebration is a great display of national pride and enjoyed by all members of the nation. It reminds the people of the origins of their country and those that fought and died so that Mexico may be free.
Each TIA Campus Celebrates 16 de Septiembre Separately
Each TIA campus celebrates 16 de Septiembre separately because each school has its own unique flavor, feel and atmosphere. Students get to show off what they are learning by making decorations that reflect the Hispanic/Mexican culture. Each grade performs skits, and dances, sings songs, recites poems and "El Grito" (re-enactment of Dolores) and so much more.
What is the El Grito?
The Grito commemorates 16 de Septiembre 1810, when a parish priest in the town of Dolores in the State of Guanajuato rang the church bells and called his parishioners to fight for independence. Every year on the 16th of September the President of Mexico addresses the Mexican people from the balcony of the National Palace with the modern version of the famous Grito de Dolores. He shouts “Vivas!” to the leaders of the Mexican Revolution and ends with a cheer echoed three times by the huge crowds that have gathered: “Viva México!”
The Best Parts for All at TIA
The students’ favorite part is getting ready for the event. They get to practice in front of their school friends and make all the fun decorations for the event. The teachers learn along with the students about the language and culture. The parents participate by coming to see their children perform. Everyone breaks out in smiles when they watch the Kindergarten class perform the "Chicken Dance" (pajaritos a volar) and 4/5th grade class perform "La danza de los viejitos" (cultural dance). There's nothing in the world like seeing proud parents at these events.
At these celebrations, each campus also has a salsa and chili contest that the parents participate in. Everyone gets to try out the different recipes and pick their favorites.
Why Spanish Language is Part of TIA Curriculum
Spanish language is part of TIA Curriculum (along with Chinese). If you speak English, Chinese and Spanish you can communicate with 80% of the world. Spanish is the second most studied language and second language in international communication. Also, as a native language, Spanish is second only to Mandarin Chinese. Even more compelling is the fact that about half of the population in the Western hemisphere speaks Spanish, making it the primary language for as many people as English in this region of the world. We are looking at roughly over 500 million people speaking Spanish.
TIA is at the forefront of preparing their students to be global citizens and good communicators through language and learning about other cultures.