Parkview’s Parade Celebrates Diversity

Parkview’s Parade Celebrates Diversity
Posted on 02/28/2023

“Celebrating America’s Diversity” was the theme for Parkview Elementary School’s 48th Annual Americanism Parade featuring a parade line-up of enthusiastic students, marching bands and distinguished guests.

      The parade is a well-loved tradition in El Monte and throughout the Mountain View School District (MVSD).  This year, Parkview’s staff was happy to resume the in-person parade after two years of hosting a successful drive-thru version due to the pandemic.

      Once again, the parade succeeded in bringing the school and community together to celebrate America.  Parkview’s students in Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade took part in the parade, joining teachers and staff to showcase the strength of our nation’s diversity, as well as the many wonderful programs at the school including SeaPerch Underwater Robotics, Chess Club, Top Sail, Students Run LA, Leadership, AVID, performing arts, Renaissance, volleyball, dual immersion and more.  

      Joining in the parade line up were El Monte Police Chief, Jake Fisher and police department personnel including the mounted police, the SWAT and ADAPT trucks, and the traffic safety bureau, the El Monte Fire Department, El Monte City Council members, Parkview’s Parent Volunteers, Think Together staff, the District Transportation Department, Parkview retirees, and the exceptional marching bands, color guard, drill teams and cheerleaders from South El Monte High School, El Monte High School and Mt. View High School.

     Serving as Masters’ of Ceremonies were George Schonborn, MVSD’s Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Tony Lugo, retired MVSD administrator.   Parkview’s Teacher of the Year, Christina Najera, Certificated Employee of the Year, John Bustamante, and Classified Employees of the Year, Norma Berumen and Roxanne De La Cerda were escorted down the parade route atop convertible Mustangs, as were the Parade Grand Marshals, Jose Sanchez, Adeline Velasco and Olga Garcia, retired Parkview staff members who each dedicated many years serving the school.  

     Marching by classrooms down Elliott Street to the cheers of hundreds of spectators lining the parade route, the students proudly celebrated the diversity of America’s environments, dance, music, ethnicities, cultures, and food.  Students also learned about diversity though social emotional learning, sharing things they love and what makes people the same and different.  In kindergarten, students focused on love, respect and equality for people of all colors, and all of the Parkview Eagles celebrated that America is a place where everyone belongs. Among the excited parade watchers were students from MVSD’s surrounding schools who cheered and waved flags and pom poms.   

     Viewing from the grand stands were MVSD Board of Education member Cindy Wu, Superintendent, Dr. Raymond Andry, Councilman Richard Rojo and Councilman Martin Herrera from the City of El Monte, as well as several MVSD administrators and staff members. 

   “We appreciate our community coming out for our parade,” said Dr. Angelica De La Rosa, Parkview Principal.  “We are very excited to have the parade back in person and highlight our incredible students and staff as we celebrate America.”        

      The Americanism Parade is the culminating activity to a month of patriotic research, writing, language and activities Parkview students participate in during February encouraging their appreciation of America and its freedoms.  The school is happy to host the beloved parade, helping to create life-long memories for Parkview students and families.

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