17% of Des Plainesians described themselves as Hispanic or Latino in the 2010 US Census*, and in 2012 over 30% of the children enrolled in District 62 schools spoke Spanish at home. With such a strong Latino presence in our community, Hispanic heritage is our heritage. So why not celebrate it?
Hispanic American Heritage Month runs from September 15th through October 15th. Here are some great ways to share the riches of Latino culture with your kids:
Love guacamole? Why not branch out with other scrumptious Mexican or Latin American dishes?
Our Latin American cookbooks make it easy to try new recipes with your kids. Bring the party to your kitchen; check one out today!
Papel picado, piƱatas, Guatemalan weaving – Latin American handicrafts may serve as the inspiration for tons of fun craft projects for you and your kids! Check out one of our Latin American craft books, and get out the glue sticks! You don’t have to tell them it’s educational.
Take your child to Latin America without leaving your armchair. Read a book! Stop by our
Hispanic American Heritage Month display for great stories set in Latin America, or featuring Latino characters in the U.S. Our display also includes non-fiction titles like the craft and cookbooks mentioned above.
Party at the library! We will be celebrating with these fun events. Bring the whole family!
Dual Language Storytime - September 23, 6:30pm
Enjoy stories and songs in two languages.
Hispanic Heritage Music Night T - October 7, 6:30pm
Sing and dance to music from across Latin America.
Hispanic Heritage Drop in Craft - October 14, 5:30-7:30pm
Stop by and create something beautiful from Latin America
Family Loteria (Mexican Bingo) - October 19, 2:00 – 3:00pm
Learn to play Loteria, a traditional Mexican bingo game. You could win a prize!
Cultural understanding is one of the most beautiful gifts you can give to your child, and it’s fun! Come celebrate the gifts Des Plaines has received from Latino culture.
P.S. Coming soon to your library! Stay tuned for more opportunities to celebrate the diverse cultures in our community. Polish American Heritage Month is in October.
**District 62 Home Language Survey 3011/2012 school year.