16 de septiembre   Purpose Teaching tolerance and respect for diversity among our students is of utter most importance. We believe that when children feel proud of their heritage, they in turn will be more apt to perform and succeed in the school environment as well as in the community in which they live. One way that we do that at Salinas Elementary is by honoring and celebrating important festivities that connect the lives of our students to the cultural heritage of their parents and grandparents and make it their own. It is very important that students don't incubate  negative feelings toward the culture where they come from, but instead, we want them to feel proud of who they are and the traditions that come along. For that reason, we offer our students and staff the opportunity to participate in important heritage celebrations such as the "Mexican Independence Day" celebrated on September 16.   About "16 de septiembre" The mood for celebrating is in the air since early September, with colorful streamers and Mexican Flags all over the school.  You could say this is one of the first themes for celebration soon after school begins and everyone is eager to showcase their decorations and student work outside the classrooms. Throughout the month of September, Mexican pride and Hispanic Heritage is celebrated in different ways. Some classrooms celebrate with pinatas, others with traditional Mexican style decorations such as "papel picado." When finally 16 de septiembre arrives, a parade of staff and students can be seen proudly attired in traditional Mexican outfits, which can be quite a delightful scene to watch, since the culture and traditons of Mexico are wide and varied. Every thing is nicely wrapped up when many classrooms choose to end their cultural experience with a traditonal social gathering where they will have a chance to indulge in some of the most delicious Mexican cuisine and a breaking of a pinata. "Viva Mexico"