School's Cinco de Mayo celebration features galactic twist.

Byline: Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard

In a galaxy not so far, far away, elementary school students are integrating Spanish into everyday learning and performing skits for their parents, teachers and other school volunteers.

In one such skit, Yoda quickly teaches Luke the ways of the Jedi, then Luke has his famous light saber fight with Darth Vader from "The Empire Strikes Back."

A fifth-grader playing Vader squirms on the ground and utters, "Luke, soy tu padre." Laughter fills the room.

Their bilingual galaxy is close to home, at Parker Elementary School in south Eugene, where for the past six years students have received Spanish language instruction as part of the school's curriculum. On Thursday the school held its third annual Cinco de Mayo event, Noche de Fiesta, to recognize the Spanish program and thank the school's many volunteers.

"Parent involvement is really strong," said Spanish teacher Buck Arbuckle. "Besides celebrating Spanish, this is parent appreciation."

With 217 students enrolled at the school, 187 people have volunteered this year, said Principal Sharon Tabor.

Noche de Fiesta kicked off with a burrito dinner in the cafeteria where pinatas and other Mexican-style decorations made for a festive atmosphere. Tabor and Parker teachers served more than 400 meals.

Then everyone crowded into the gym where students showed off their knowledge. Fifth-graders sang three songs, led by choir teacher Tegan Johnson.

"Estoy con mis amigos," they sang in a song called "Amigos" that had verses in Spanish, French, Hebrew and English.

At Parker, the students have between 15 and 40 minutes of Spanish instruction per day in Arbuckle's class, depending on their grade. His program is possible because of a federal grant and came about because parents expressed interest in Spanish education. It's not an immersion program, but teachers strive to mix Spanish into everyday learning, said third-grade teacher Connie Wood.

They sing songs, play games and have frequent guests from Spanish speaking countries.

"Our kids get Spanish each day," Wood said.