G.H. Reid Elementary celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with food and fun

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Families and community members packed the auditorium and classrooms of G.H. Reid Elementary School on Thursday for a night of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.

The event, held the evening of Thursday, Oct. 10 at this Richmond elementary school, featured tastes and sounds of various Hispanic countries — providing students and their families an opportunity to showcase their culture.

“It really means a chance to express themselves and bring a home-school connection,” said G.H. Reid Elementary School principal Dr. Chantrese Rainey-Clayton. “They get to bring their background, their culture, their home life, into the school.

Dr. Rainey-Clayton told 8News that most Hispanic students at the elementary school only speak Spanish at home, so the event was a way to give others a taste of their culture and background.

Parents who spoke with 8News described their contentment with the event, such as Alba Cano of Mexican descent who attended the event with her son.

“A lot of people from other countries — it’s good for everybody [to be at] the same party and the same celebration,” Cano said.

Children took to the dance floor and shared their love for the people who came out and the music of the event with 8News.

“I think this is very nice, especially in living with my daughter, [as] I’m already teaching her about Hispanic Heritage and its roots,” said parent Jasmin Mejia.

According to the latest enrollment numbers provided by Richmond Public Schools’ enrollment dashboard , for the 2023-24 school year, there were a total of 660 students enrolled at G.H. Reid Elementary School. Of those 660 students, 401 were of Hispanic descent — meaning this culture makes up approximately 67% of the school’s population.

“RPS is becoming increasingly diverse and we acknowledge that and we appreciate that,” said Rainey-Clayton. “We’re welcoming all backgrounds into our schools and we want to celebrate them and make sure that they are represented, valued and loved here.”

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