Bulls learn about Semana Santa, enjoy authentic mona

Stocktrail Elementary third-graders experienced an authentic taste of Spain today, both figuratively and literally

Myriam Cherro, a third-grade DLI teacher, took part of the afternoon to share different cultural aspects of Semana Santa (Holy Week) with her and Kara Sullivan's third-grade students. The young ones learned about foods that are eaten, dances that are performed and songs that are traditionally sung in the eastern region of Spain, where Cherro is originally from, leading up to Easter, or Pascua.

Traditionally, families visit different sites in the Spanish countryside to sing and dance with friends in small groups. Today, the tradition was adapted to include about 40 students performing their newfound talents in the school's commons area, with Cherro and her mother leading at the helm.

Students also played a competitive round of el pañuelo, the handkerchief, before settling down for a final treat -- mona.

La Mona de Pascua is a sweet cake traditionally eaten on Easter Sunday or Easter Monday in different regions throughout Spain. The cake is unique in that a hard-boiled egg is baked directly in its center. Daniel Cherro, Myriam's husband and a former restaurant owner in Spain, took the day Sunday to bake mona for all of the students who participated in the activities Monday.

The breads were met with a great deal of appreciation from students. Some even tested out the tradition of trying to crack their egg on their friend's head! But only after asking if they could first

What an immersive learning experience for students! And extra thanks to the Cherro family for your thoughtful generosity