Ridgefield students learn about Dia de los Muertos

RIDGEFIELD — Gavin Clarke’s second-grade class at South Ridge Elementary School recently had the opportunity to learn about Dia de los Muertos, a holiday celebrated primarily by people with Mexican and Central American heritage. It’s observed each year from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. But the students didn’t learn from just anyone; they got to hear about it from Rebeca Jaramillo and her son Miguel, who actually celebrate the holiday. Jaramillo’s other son, Sebastian, is in Clarke’s class. Clarke invited parents to school to share their cultural events. Jaramillo answered questions about the holiday and taught them that — translated to “Day of the Dead” — Dia de los Muertos is meant to celebrate loved ones who have died. With Jaramillo on guitar and Miguel on keyboard, they led the class in singing the song “Remember Me” from the Disney movie “Coco,” a hit movie that was inspired by the holiday. “My class has students from many different backgrounds that represent the future of Ridgefield,” Clarke said. “I hope that those under-represented communities feel welcomed to share their culture with the students, and I hope the students learn to respect many different cultures in their experience here.”