It was carnival time in the schoolyard of Excel Charter School, located at 1077 Remsen Avenue, on Tuesday, June 18th – the occasion marked the school’s 5th annual celebration of Caribbean Heritage and was held the day before Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the United States.
The schoolyard was ablaze with vibrant colors as students waved flags representing Jamaica, Barbados, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Guyana, St. Lucia and the Bahamas. Teachers and students donned elaborate, colorful costumes which showcased the effervescence of the Caribbean countries, especially during the carnival season.
Young and old, they entertained the crowd and judges with their dance moves. One of the highlights was a dance with teachers and students where everyone “got down” and had a good time.
But as Amaya Santos, Dean of Students, told the Canarsie Courier, the carnival was merely the culmination of a series of activities and events in which the students participated in preparation for the big day.
“Our Caribbean Heritage Month celebration is filled with a series of educational and festive events designed to showcase the rich and diverse tapestry of Caribbean culture,” she stated.
The children were assigned Caribbean countries which they had to research then share what they learned with their classmates. Their research focused on things such as a landmark, famous person or thing related to the country.
“We believe that our celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month not only enriches the educational experience of our students but also serves as a valuable opportunity to promote cultural understanding and appreciation for our students and community,” Santos added.
