The check was presented at a ceremony Oct. 24 at Fassett. Jorge Cuevas , a musician from Ithaca, visited the school in October to give students a lesson in Puerto Rican culture, including its food. He cut up plantains and fried them in olive oil while explaining that the continental United States must import the fruit from Puerto Rico because they are not grown here. He served mangos for dessert. Mr. Cuevas told the students that Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the U.S., not a state.
Many residents there speak English in addition to Spanish.
Mr. Cuevas also taught students some Latin dance moves and discussed Puerto Rican history. Students asked several questions about the island. Riverside was also visited by artists from Israel and Thailand in October. The visits were incorporated into students' studies of several international countries. Cost, childcare and work schedules all play a role.