BALDWIN PARK – Baldwin Park Unified Dual Language program students and teachers transformed campuses with elaborately decorated altars, strings of marigold flowers and colorful papel picado to channel the energy of the season for Día de los Muertos festivals, held from Oct. 20 to Nov. 3.

Baldwin Park High School’s 11th annual Día de los Muertos celebration, hosted on Oct. 20, featured live music and dance performances from Geddes and Walnut elementary school students, as well as face painting, food vendors and an art gallery.

The school’s altar competition included submissions from BPHS student clubs and elementary schools, with Margaret Heath Elementary’s altar taking the first-place win.

Sierra Vista High School hosted its community-wide celebration on Nov. 1 with this year’s theme focused on celebrating artists from this century. The event included live student musical performances and dances from Geddes and Walnut elementary schools.

“My kids graduated a few years ago, but my husband and I still look forward to Sierra Vista’s event every year,” Baldwin Park community member Angelina Rosales said.

Foster, Geddes, Margaret Heath and Tracy elementary schools held individual celebrations with classrooms creating ofrendas and students and staff dressing up in costumes.

At Tracy Elementary School, parents were invited to tour the classrooms and view the school community altars on Nov. 2. Geddes Elementary held its schoolwide celebration on Nov. 3, featuring an altar dedicated to school community members who passed.

Baldwin Park Unified’s Dual Language program spans from elementary to high school. The program follows a 90/10 model for kindergarten and first grade, with instruction levels reaching 50/50 in Spanish and English at grades five and six.

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BPUSD_Dual Language: Margaret Heath Elementary School’s Dual Language program students created an altar that won first place at Baldwin Park High School’s 11th annual Día de los Muertos celebration.