In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Department of Community Engagement and Equity hosted a Lunch and Learn Series event on Monday, Oct. 7. The afternoon consisted of Spanish-inspired food supplied by the CTE Express food truck ran by students in the culinary arts career and technical education (CTE) program at North Point High School and a panel-style discussion led by community members and CCPS staff.

The panel discussion topic was Bridging Stories: A Dialogue on History and Personal Journeys. “This month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, reflect on our histories and appreciate the diversity that makes our community so special,” Traci Chappelear-Thomas, CCPS director of community engagement and equity, said.

The food truck made its debut on Monday at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. Staff members could purchase their choice of either chicken or steak tacos with a slice of tres leche cake. Learn more about the CTE Express food truck at https://bit.ly/3BySCas.  

Event participants could grab their lunch and listen to a panel discussion in the boardroom from CCPS staff members of Spanish descent and Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) Rhosheeda Proctor.

The panel was moderated by Thomas Stone High School junior Gabriel Martinez-Alegria and senior Naidilin Julisa Hernandez- Hernandez. The student moderators asked questions to the panel about their experiences, cultures and traditions. Panel members included Luciano Morales, youth engagement advocate at Stone, Jacqueline Alcantara-Gore, CCPS interpreter and family service coordinator for the Judy Center, and Jahan Savage-Spriggs, administrative intern at Stone.

“The strongest thing for me is our family and community values,” Savage-Spriggs said. “We have strong roots in our family and community and I’m proud to be a Puerto Rican American woman.”

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).