In preparation for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, Midvale Elementary students spent a morning cleaning debris and tidying graves at Midvale Cemetery as an act that blended cultural education, service and remembrance.

“This is something that we do in Mexico.” said third-grade teacher Lucia de la Cruz, who is originally from that country. “Families go into the cemetery to clean up so they can have that space ready because on (November) second, they bring flowers, food, candles and music. What we are doing here is giving that service to our community, in case someone wants to come celebrate with their loved ones.”

The ofrenda at Midvale Elementary School offers neighborhood and dual immersion students to learn and understand part of Día de los Muertos. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

 Alongside 231 students, six dual immersion teachers, PTA representatives and volunteers joined the effort, collecting litter and clearing fallen leaves from around the headstones.

The cemetery visit has become a Midvale Elementary tradition. It has been part of the school’s activities for at least 26 years, complemented by an altar, or ofrenda, which has been displayed for the past 11 years. 

Students from kindergarten through fifth grade—both from the neighborhood and the Spanish dual language immersion program—contribute photos and mementos to the ofrenda. They also learn about the meanings behind the holiday’s symbols, such as cempasúchil (marigolds), calaveras (sugar skulls) and calacas (skeletons), in both English and Spanish.

As part of the celebration, teachers show videos explaining the cultural roots of Día de los Muertos and its various observances across Mexico and Latin America. 

“We have many Latin families,” said de la Cruz. “I saw two moms who brought flowers here to the cemetery today because they know the meaning and importance of doing this. It’s how they show respect and follow the tradition.”

For Luis Navarro, a Midvale fifth-grade teacher originally from Peru, the week offers a deeper look at the diversity within Latin American cultures. 

“In Mexico, it’s a very important and big day, but it’s not as big in South America,” he said. “In Peru, it’s mostly celebrated in small towns in the Andes. In class, we talk about how Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru celebrate differently. It’s a rich experience where students learn about different cultures and traditions even though we all speak the same language.”

Navarro estimated about 30% of his class is Caucasian, yet they all embrace Latino culture. 

“They’ve learned about Día de los Muertos since kindergarten,” he said. “Students with this background share their traditions, and those Caucasians learn from them. It’s a two-way avenue as Latinos learn American culture and traditions.”

Families took part in the school’s acts of service and cultural celebration. 

Julie Miramontes, whose son Axxel is a kindergartner, said the cemetery visit gave her meaningful family time. 

“I am spending quality time with my 5-year-old; I took time off of work, but the time is priceless,” she said. “I answered his questions about the cemetery, that it’s a place where people rest with our Heavenly Father, and he’s learning it’s an important day in Mexican culture.”

For students, the experience was both meaningful and hands-on. 

Fifth-grader Luke Gurney was working alongside his friends.

“It’s important to show respect to graves and clean up the garbage and leaves,” he said. “It’s celebrated a lot in Mexico, and other countries celebrate, but do it differently.”

Classmate Tenzin Legarda added: “I’ve picked up leaves and learned clean-up is an important part of the tradition. It feels good when we do it because it’s a nice thing to do.”

Fifth-grader Rio Jackson understood the holiday’s significance. 

“For Día de los Muertos, we make and respect the altars for those who cross over and see how much we’ve grown,” he said. “I’m bringing a photo of my grandpa and, for my grandmother, her favorite flower — a sunflower. It’s important to see our family, know our loved ones’ history. Two of my grandpas and my grandma are veterans of World War II.”

Rio said while he remembers his grandparents, he appreciates being able to do something for them.

“I like that we’re preparing for those who are crossing over,” he said. “At the same time, serving our community cleaning up the cemetery.”