An elementary school in Sioux Center is displaying the flags of Mexico and Guatemala outside of its main entrance for Hispanic Heritage Month. The two flags sit on much shorter poles than the American Flag and Iowa Flag.
When asked why the school was flying the flags of the two foreign countries, principal Troy Lentell said Kinsey Elementary is taking part in the National Hispanic Heritage Month.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 and involves celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
In the information provided by Lentell, Sept. 15 is significant because it marks the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18.
