MONTVALE—The borough’s advisory Diversity and Inclusion Committee donated six books for the K-8 public schools’ libraries that highlight Hispanic characters and culture in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, running this year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
The donation of the award-wining titles was made by the committee at the Sept. 27 Montvale school board meeting, attended by school librarians from Memorial Elementary School and Fieldstone Middle School and several parents and students.
With links to BCCLS/Montvale Public Library, the books are:
- “La Princesa and the Pea” by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal;
- “Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match” by Monica Brown, illustrated by Sara Palacios;
- “Where Are You From?” by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Jaime Kim;
- “The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopes” by Adrianna Cuevas;
- “The Water Bears” by Kim Baker; and
- “Merci Suárez Changes Gears” by Meg Medina.
Committee member Maria Victoria Dickson, a hospital education specialist, told the board, “This might seem like a simple donation of a handful of books to expand a library’s catalog, but to us, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the town of Montvale, its Hispanic members — but especially the Latin families and their children attending the town schools — it’s a very special moment that allows us to recognize and celebrate our Hispanic heritage with books that provide the children of our town the opportunity to see characters that portray accurately the unique perspectives of the Latin American communities and its descendants living in the United States.”
Dickson offered a story about her husband and family and the struggles faced by Hispanic individuals and families over the years.
“Hispanic adults have long had lower attainment than white adults and as result have often been trapped in low-wage jobs that don’t require a college degree, and this is exactly how we are still depicted in TV, movies, and some literature.”
She said, “The stereotype of the Latina or Latino, a person that due to the lack of education, cannot aspire to pursue other career paths.”
She added, “Hispanic children have less access to high-quality pre-K, parents working extended hours or double jobs might not be able to pick students after four hours. Hispanic kids are less likely to reach out to school counselors, or have access to advanced placement courses or extracurricular enrichment programs, like music and arts, extra help or tutoring.”
And she said the pandemic “only made things a lot worse for children of color. Hispanic enrollment to higher education fell by 5.4% last fall.”
After listing the books being donated, Dickson said, “We are a minority but we are here, and tonight and always, would be and should be about our children, Hispanic children that will represent 36% of the demographics (in America) by 2060. Children that love this country, children that love this town because it’s home!”
She asked rhetorically, “Do you see them? They are here, represented tonight. Do you see Brenna, Fianna, Camilo, and Isaac? They want to become surgeons, psychologists, engineers, teachers, nurses, anything that they want to be, and as parents, we’ll do everything in our power to give them the same gift we were granted, the gift of education. We know by experience that it will represent their greatest chance.”
Superintendent Darren Petersen commended the committee and said Dickson’s words “are absolutely beautiful and there really is no better gift in education than a book so for us to extend our library resources it is very special and very much appreciated.”
Petersen later told Pascack Press about 10% of students in Montvale are Hispanic. He said the district’s world languages program recognizes Hispanic American achievements, culture, and history, and that of other heritages.
About Hispanic Heritage Month
NPR explains on its website that Hispanic Heritage Month initially began as a weeklong celebration in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson who, at the time said, “The people of Hispanic descent are the heirs of missionaries, captains, soldiers, and farmers who were motivated by a young spirit of adventure, and a desire to settle freely in a free land.”
“This heritage is ours,” he proclaimed.
NPR notes that “It wasn’t until 1988 that President Ronald Reagan extended the week to a full 31 days — through Oct. 15 — keeping the Sept. 15 start date because it coincides with national independence day of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Similarly, Mexico celebrates on the 16th, Chile on the 18th and Belize on the 21st.”
Upcoming events
Montvale’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee also plans:
- On Sunday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m., the committee partners with Lifetime Fitness to host Baila Conmigo, a fun Latin dance tutorial with raffles and prizes. The event, for all ages and abilities, takes place at the basketball courts on Memorial Drive. In the event of inclement weather, the event takes place in the Community Center across the street from the basketball courts.
- Sunday, Oct. 17 at 4 p.m.: Visit the Diversity and Inclusion Committee booth at the Montvale Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Montvale Street Fair.
- October is also German and Italian month. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee hopes to recognize as many residents’ heritage as possible. Submit your ideas for events for next year.
- Monday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.: Join the Diversity and Inclusion Committee as it collaborates with the Montvale Free Public Library to host a virtual Diwali celebration featuring a Rangoli craft via Zoom. Registration is limited to 25 families. Email diversitycommittee@montvaleboro.org to register for the event.
- Monday, Nov. 1: Deadline to submit proposals for events you’d like the Diversity and Inclusion Committee host in 2022. Email the committee for the link if you are interested in submitting a proposal.
For more information, write diversitycommittee@montvaleboro.org.