The only dance I did in gym class was square dancing. Things are much cooler now.
Last week, Maplewood’s Clinton Elementary School’s learned how to Zumba in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Students swiveled their hips to the Latin music at the hour-long Zumba class. Clinton principal Patricia O’Neill and several teachers even joined in the action.
Meg Hanley, one of Clinton’s English Language Learning (ELL) teachers, was instrumental in organizing the Zumba class. The classes were made possible with the support of Clinton School’s PTA. Why Zumba? They wanted a fun way to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15. Third through 5th graders will also participate in a “Reading Fiesta” raffle where they will read books recommended by their Spanish teachers.
Clinton School, which has one of the most diverse populations in the school district, celebrates six cultural heritage months throughout the school year. Each month, the school features colorful display case highlighting personal essays, photos and contributions from Clinton students to highlight a cultural heritage. The school also holds a PTA-sponsored raffle that encourages students to write three interesting facts learned from the display. Names are drawn from a raffle box and a student in each grade will win a gift certificate or small gift.
