ANDREA GALABINSKI The drum band performs during the Cinco de Mayo festivities.

Students at J. Colin English Elementary School recently spent a day celebrating Cinco De Mayo and Latin American culture.

Carmen Marquez is a second grade teacher who has been coordinating the event for several years.

“This is our fifth year,” she said. “The students look forward to it, it is a big event each year.”

Second graders wore traditional Mexican costumes and they danced three different dances from three different Latin American Countries.

“We’re celebrating the Latin American culture, not just the Mexican culture,” she said.

Teacher Carmen Marquez and her student dancers.

They learned a lot during the celebration, the teacher said. In the classrooms, the teachers have different social study lessons on Latin American countries.

They also do arts and crafts.

“We have maracas, pinatas and our decorations are made from tissue paper,” Marquez said. “They are called papel picado, which means cut paper.”

Marquez said the students also had other fun activities.

“We do face painting, nail polish and they also made bookmarks with the Mexican flag and pendants they wear around their neck. It’s a whole day of celebration and social studies lessons in the classroom,” she said.

The Chorus gets ready to perform at the recent Cinco de Mayo day held at J. Colin English Elementary School.

A radio station also covered the event.

The school wanted to thank all the community contributors who helped to make the day special. Those who made donations included Publix, Sweetbay, Costco, Sam’s Club and the McDonald’s in Merchant’s Crossing.

“I also had various community restaurants, including La Mexicana, Tortilleria America and Quick and Tasty Restaurant with owner Rosa Tolentino,” said Marquez. “We also had a donation from local business Copping Roofing.”

Marquez said she also wants to thank all the parents who donated time.

“Our parents always support our school and take such an interest in our student’s education,” she said.

J. Colin English Elementary School recently spent a day celebrating Cinco De Mayo and Latin American culture. Student Zachary Decicco is with Assistant Principal Toni Walker.

“At J. C English, we celebrate diversity,” said Assistant Principal Toni Walker. “We’re all unique, and in doing this event we are celebrating that diversity.”

Walker also noted that the school has been selected to participate in The Colors Of The Rainbow event.

“That’s a ballroom dancing competition that will be held at the Design Center in Estero on Saturday, May 16,” Walker said. “We would love to have our North Fort Myers Community come out and support our students as they compete against other Lee County schools.”

That event starts at 4 p.m. The Design Center is located across from Miramar Outlet Mall.