Meaningful Traditions
“Noche de Luces” (Night of Lights)
Another school-wide tradition, this activity takes place the second week of December in the evening before the mid-year break begins. The purpose of this event is to enhance understanding and appreciation of the various cultures in the school and their traditions at the end of the year. The event also serves the purpose of helping Habitat for Humanity while raising awareness of community service at CAG. Art teachers host displays of student work, groups such as the chorus and orchestra present performances, parent representatives provide a variety of delicious foods for sale, troupes of teachers sing carols, and there are craft sales representing the various cultures. Teachers support the event by collecting admission at the gates and by supervising activities for students such as cookie and ornament decorating workshops.
Destination Imagination Tournament
An annual tournament hosted each year by CAG where teams from Guatemala and Central America gather to compete in challenges of creative thinking. The American School groups range from Rising Stars in the early grades to High School veteran teams. Teachers and parents support the teams throughout the year honing their ability to collaborate as a team to creatively problem solve. Many of our students advance each year to Global Finals in Tennessee.
Independence Day Celebration
September 15th, is a national holiday commemorating Guatemala’s independence from Spain in 1821. At CAG, students and staff celebrate and commemorate on the days prior to the 15th, by parading national dress and colors, selling and eating typical foods, exhibiting/selling Guatemalan arts, including textiles, music and crafts, playing marimba music, decorating hallways and classrooms, showing videos, playing interactive and educational games and more. Civic ceremonies are held throughout the school. The objective is to promote and develop a deeper respect and love for the country, its history and its customs.
Bingo
This well known game has become a community and family tradition at CAG, organized by the Bingo Committee of the APM/PTA. Each year, over 800 members of the community, including parents, students and staff come together to try their luck with bingo cards in an attempt to win valuable prizes. The atmosphere is filled with good family fun, topped off by numerous food stands selling typical Guatemalan favorites. The proceeds go to a local Scholarship Foundation that the school has supported for over 9 years.
Baratillo
It is a school-wide community service event in which CAG families donate used items for an enormous “garage” sale. Items are purchased at very low prices by CAG employees. Middle school students, staff and APM/PTA volunteers carry out the sale and the funds collected are used to buy Christmas baskets for all the CAG support staff.
Family Reading Afternoon
An afternoon event in the Early Childhood and Elementary Sections, that is offered at least once for each grade level throughout the school year in which students of particular grade levels and their parents are invited to the Library to participate in unique and engaging activities . Administrators, teachers from the grade level teams and library staff members are responsible for the planning and delivery of these events. Teachers are required to attend at least one Family Reading Night during the year.