GERBER, Calif. — Gerber Elementary School in Tehama County celebrated Día De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead on Wednesday.

It was the first time they celebrated the Hispanic holiday which honors and celebrates dead ancestors.

The school implemented a dual-language immersion program this year to help create more of a multicultural atmosphere, curriculum, and culture with all students.

Celebrating Día De Los Muertos was part of the implementation to have more socio-cultural festivities and events within the program and school.

Vice Principal Vanessa Ortiz told KRCR about the importance that celebrating the holiday had on the school.

“It’s a cultural celebration, a cultural tradition that a lot of our families celebrate and being predominantly Latino here at Gerber we felt it was important to be representative of the cultures that we have here on campus, especially with our dual language immersion program that’s part of the pillars and celebrating diverse cultures and communities,” Ortiz continued, “so bringing that to our school campus our students feel that sense of belonging and sense of representation as well as our community members here.”

The celebration included education for students about the cultural traditions and history of the holiday, as well as a decorated ofrenda with photos of departed family members of the students.

Also having a special spot on the ofrenda, honoring a student who passed away just last year.

It also included Pan De Muertos, or sweet bread, hot chocolate, face painting and other arts and crafts cultural activities.

Ortiz also mentioned that the implementation of the celebration was a success and that parents are enthusiastic about their kids learning more about their cultures and traditions.

They will also be celebrating other holidays and cultural traditions like Cinco De Mayo in the future as part of the implementation.

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