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At Fairfax County Public Schools, we believe students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of the many cultures and people who make our nation unique. National Hispanic Heritage Month is a perfect time to honor the rich stories of those who trace their roots back to Hispanic and Latin American countries. 

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. In FCPS, 28% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino, with heritage from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. 

Braddock Elementary School is made up of mostly Spanish-speaking families who represent 75% of their total student population. Additionally, Braddock Elementary is a two-way Spanish Immersion School with 51% of kindergarten through fifth grade students participating in this program. Not only does their student body represent some of the many Hispanic/Latino cultures around the world, but 42 staff members — representing approximately 30% of staff — also identify as Hispanic or Latino.  

Since 2016, Braddock Elementary has had a fruitful partnership with Task-Tarea, a nonprofit dedicated to providing scholarships to Maya girls — rural indigenous women — in Guatemala, enabling them to access education. 

At the start of the partnership, students in Guatemala would meet virtually with students at Braddock to discuss what they were learning in science and share information about their environment, habitats, and wildlife. Since that time, the Task-Tarea partnership has continued to flourish.

This school year, Task-Tarea representatives returned to Braddock Elementary to present a very special gift. Two Guatemalan muralists spray-painted two beautiful murals in Braddock’s newly renovated building. One mural highlights the school partnership, and the other highlights habitats, which is the topic students have discussed the most during their virtual sessions.  

Another exciting partnership opportunity presented itself this year. Marimba players from the Children’s Marimba Valle Verde School in Guatemala were scheduled to perform in the Washington Metropolitan Area. They heard about the Guatemalan artists visiting Braddock and wanted to visit too! 

On September 21, the marimba students performed outside at Braddock Elementary School. They played a number of traditional songs while educating the audience about the histories of the marimba and Guatemalan culture. This event was open to the community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The muralists were also present to share, discuss, and display more of their artwork and traditional Guatemalan attire. 

“Events like this show all of our Braddock Elementary families and staff that even though we are one Braddock Elementary family, we are also part of different cultures,” said Joyce Matthews, XSTREAM programs coordinator, who organized the event. “Our different celebrations provide opportunities to learn and experience how we are alike but different in numerous ways. These experiences provide opportunities to better understand and share our pride of who we are and our unique gifts.” 

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions acknowledged at Fairfax County Public Schools.