Aldine ISD Spanish-Speaking Community Celebrates Bilingualism, Culture, and Community During Virtual Festival de Primavera

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Aldine ISD’s Spanish-speaking families came together virtually on Saturday, April 26, to celebrate language, culture, and community during the district’s fourth annual Festival de Primavera, reinforcing the strong bond that unites us.

The virtual event, hosted entirely in Spanish, featured renowned guest speakers Andrés Ruzo and Dr. Gilberto D. Soto. It also featured lively performances by Aldine ISD students, including a ballet folklórico group from Carver High School.

Hundreds of families registered — over 800 — for the festival, with the first 500 eligible to participate in raffles for prizes, including laptops, iPads, and books. The event highlighted the district’s commitment to creating inclusive experiences that honor and celebrate its multilingual community.

“We are so grateful to our families for joining us and our guest speakers for inspiring our students,” said Eva Carrillo-Iñiguez, Aldine ISD Director of Multilingual Services. “This event truly reflects the strength and beauty of our bilingual community.”

During the event, Ruzo, a geothermal scientist and conservationist, shared his experiences exploring the Boiling River of the Amazon, providing valuable insights into the importance of bridging traditional knowledge with scientific exploration. Dr. Soto, a music education expert and classical guitarist, discussed the power of music in shaping young minds, enlightening the audience with his insights on bilingual education through the arts.

Families and staff took to social media to share their excitement and gratitude. “Beautiful to see the ballet folklórico of Carver High School!” one post read. Another attendee shared, “Hearing about music’s powerful impact on children and adults was truly empowering.”

The connection between the speakers was also celebrated online, with one user posting, “Beautiful connection between Dr. Gilberto Soto and Andrés Ruzo! The power of music!”

Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney also received thanks across platforms for her support of the Spanish-language initiative, with attendees praising the district for hosting an event that was completamente en español.

The festival celebrated culture and literacy and reminded the community of Aldine ISD’s mission to provide equitable learning opportunities for all students and families.

For more information about future multilingual events, families are encouraged to visit AldineISD.org or follow @AldineISD and @Aldine_Bil_ESL on X (formerly Twitter).