Weston hosts Hispanic Flamenco Ballet performances for nearly 800 students

Mercedes Fernandez, curriculum and instruction leader for world language K–12, described an in-district cultural experience in which Hispanic Flamenco Ballet performed live for Weston students. Fernandez told the subcommittee the district hosted three shows, with two distinct performances, that drew 670 Weston students in grades 5–12 and 120 visiting students from Easton and New Fairfield, for a total of 790 students.

Fernandez said the performances included live musicians and interactive segments in which students learned about rhythms, instruments and footwork and were invited on stage for demonstrations. She said performers came from multiple countries and that the experience allowed students to make curriculum-aligned cultural connections that cannot be replicated by textbooks or videos.

Board members and administrators praised the event and emphasized the complex logistics—scheduling multiple performances, coordinating buses and security, and managing space limits that required turning away some volunteers or presenters. Staff said principals, the director of security, and the PTO played key roles in managing logistics.

Next steps: staff said they will consider ways to expand access for younger students in future years and continue collaborating with the culture and heritage committee to align similar K–12 experiences.