Dancers perform at Central Elementary School

VALPARAISO | The Gloria Dei Hispanic dancers performed for the students of Central School as part of the school's monthly assembly.

The school's topic for February is Celebrating America's Diversity. Having the Gloria Dei dancers perform traditional Hispanic Folkloric dances was an opportunity to expose the children to a type of dance many are not familiar with.

Two programs used to guide the topics for the assemblies at Central Elementary are CASS (Creating a Safe School) and PBIL (Positive, Behaviors, Interventions and Support). Each month different classrooms and Team Lead members help organize and present at the assembly.

Before the performance, dancers presented a brief history of the dance to the students. When finished, students had an opportunity to ask questions of the dancers.

According to Pastor Tomas Angon, of the Gloria Dei Hispanic Mission, Gloria Dei began offering folkloric dance classes for children in 2007. "The children learn to preserve and appreciate their Hispanic heritage, while acquiring a skill they can share with the community."

Gloria Dei offers citizenship classes, adult  and preschool Englis Learner classes, K-12 tutoring, childcare for children of adult students and transportation provided.

Gloria Dei's Compass Education program is held in the evenings at Central school. Call (219) 477-8564.