Día de Los Muertos brings language, learning and tradition to life
Fairfield, CA (November 5, 2026) – Día de Los Muertos celebrations were held across many Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) schools, bringing students and school communities together to recognize a meaningful cultural tradition. At Sullivan Language Immersion Academy, the annual celebration offered a particularly special opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with the language, customs and traditions that are an important part of the school's dual-language immersion experience.
On November 2nd, Sullivan students participated in a schoolwide Día de Los Muertos celebration featuring traditional altars, student performances, arts and crafts, face painting and temporary tattoos. Students also had opportunities to enjoy pan de muerto, a traditional bread associated with the holiday, while exploring the significance of the celebration with their classmates and teachers.
After a dynamic morning filled with fun and learning, Sullivan Principal Daniel Garcia had this to share: “This celebration means so much to our students, families and staff! It’s an experience that extends beyond the classroom, creating opportunities to share traditions, build cultural understanding and strengthen connections across our community. We are so thankful for the support of our PTO in making this meaningful event a reality.”
Cultural experiences like Día de Muertos are an important part of the Sullivan educational experience,” said FSUSD Superintendent Jennifer Sachs. “This celebration was a wonderful example of how specialized learning opportunities enrich our communities and strengthen our connection with families.”
As one of FSUSD's specialized schools, Sullivan Language Immersion Academy offers a K–8 dual-language program designed around three central goals: biliteracy, bilingualism and cultural competency. Using a 90/10 instructional model, students begin their educational journey with the majority of instruction in Spanish, gradually increasing English instruction until reaching a 50/50 balance in grades 5–8. Along the way, students develop the academic skills and language proficiency to pursue California's State Seal of Biliteracy on their high school diplomas.
Sullivan helps students develop an appreciation for different perspectives while building the skills to become confident, bilingual and culturally aware members of a global community. Learning two languages means more than becoming fluent in English and Spanish, it means building connections and celebrating culture, something Sullivan does for every one of its students.
