Festivities throughout the next couple of weeks are abundant as Denver Public Schools celebrates Cinco de Mayo. On Friday, May 3rd at 12:10 p.m. Mexican Consul Leticia Calzada will present a Mexican flag to Rishel Middle School (451 S. Tejon St.). The student ballet folklorico group "Raizes de Colorado," taught by Lucia Hurtado, will also perform. Rishel students will present a program on the background and history of Cinco de Mayo. The community is invited to attend a 4:45 p.m. performance where dollar donations are welcome. Here is a list of other activities taking place throughout the week:

Abraham Lincoln High School (2285 S. Federal Blvd.) – Highlights throughout the week include: daily morning announcements that explain the significance of Cinco de Mayo; cultural readings called "Cuentos" in the library throughout the day; a library art display hosted by the Art Department; and a Rishel Mexican Folkloric Dance performance. On May 3rd, teachers will start the day with breakfast burritos and Mexican Pastries (Pan Dulce). The school's guitar group will play las Mañanitas over the P.A. as a way of kicking off the day's events. During the school's lunch period, DJ Beto will play Mexican music. Other activities on May 3 include: a soccer tournament, entertainment on the blacktop, more from DJ Beto, Modern Latin and Folkloric dances, Grupo Sensacion, a Cinco de Mayo Poster Contest, a water balloon toss and other field day activities.

Valverde Elementary School (2030 W. Alameda Ave.) – Annual Cinco de Mayo celebration with a mercado & carnival on Friday, May 3 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be games, food and three performances by Valverde's own folkloric dance group, "Viva Mexico." Those performances will be at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. in the school auditorium. The celebration will continue on Monday, May 6th with dance and song performances by Valverde students at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Pioneer Charter School (3230 E. 38th Ave.) – Annual Cinco de Mayo celebration and Mercado on Friday, May 3. The Mercado will take place on the black top from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. "Danzantes De Las Americas" will perform ballet folklorico from 2:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. Join the panthers for music, crafts, food, balloons and face painting.

Southmoor Elementary School (3755 S. Magnolia Way) – A Spanish Musical is scheduled for May 14th. A dress rehearsal will be held at 10:00 a.m. and the performance is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

North High School (2960 N. Speer) – Cinco de Mayo assembly including a variety of performances on May 3rd at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium.

Dennison Montessori (1821 S. Yates) – Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Friday, May 3rd includes games, food and wandering Mariachi's throughout the morning starting at 9:30 a.m. At 1:15 p.m. Denison children will dance with Art Reach Dance Artist, Rita Wallace. At 2:00 p.m. a folkloric dance group and Aztec dancers will perform.

Merrill Middle School (1552 S. Munroe St.) – The Gabriel Salazar Mariachi Group will serenade 6th, 7th, and 8th graders on Friday, May 3 at 10:20 a.m. in the lunchroom throughout the lunch hour.

Palmer Elementary (995 Grape St.) – Cinco de Mayo/Celebration of Cultures event at 2:00 pm and at 7:00 pm on Monday, May 6.

Columbine Elementary (2540 E. 29th Ave.) – An authentic Mexican Mercado on May 3rd from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Children and their families will receive pretend pesos to "buy" child made crafts. The event includes a singing program and authentic food.

Sabin Elementary (3050 S. Vrain St.) – "Dances of Mexico" on May 2nd at 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.

John Amesse Elementary (5440 Scranton St.) – A "Mercado de Niños" at 1:10 p.m., as well as two musical programs at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Schmitt Elementary (820 S. Vallejo St.) – Friday, May 3rd celebration includes Mexican dances at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 1:20 p.m.; a memorial for 2nd grader, Sylvia Garcia, former dance team member; 5th grade carnival runs from 9:15 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. including games & food; and a music program at 10: 45 a.m. and 2:20 p.m.

Marie L. Greenwood Elementary School (5130 Durham Ct.) – Cinco de Mayo and End of the School Year Celebration includes a carnival on Friday, May 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The carnival is open to the public. Tickets are 5 for $1.00 or 25 cents each.

Goldrick Elementary School (1050 S. Zuni St.) – Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 3rd from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. with the Goldrick dancers, mariachis, a carnival and refreshments.

Denver School of the Arts (150 S. Pearl St.) – Spanish classes will have guest storyteller Jerry Lawson telling Cinco de Mayo related stories during the week following Cinco de Mayo.

Manual High School (1700 E. 28th Ave.) – Cinco de Mayo assembly starts at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, May 3 in the auditorium. Assembly includes: posting of colors, historical significance of Cinco de Mayo, historical role-playing by the Youth Opportunity Performance Group; performances by the Manual choir and percussion ensemble; the Draper's dancers; and a Daniels Fund scholarship award presentation.

Ashley Elementary (1914 Syracuse St.) – Cinco de Mayo program scheduled for Thursday, May 2 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. includes dancing, singing, poems, and a play about the battle of la Puebla.

Smith Renaissance School of the Arts (3590 Jasmine St.) ˆ Cinco de Mayo festival from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. includes a genuine mercado (market) and pesos to purchase items at the mercado, games, face painting, food tasting, and drawings for door prizes. The final dance performance will be in the auditorium at 2:45 p.m.

Skinner Middle (3435 W. 40th Ave.) - Cinco de Mayo Carnival, May 3, 2002, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. includes games, piñatas, Mexican flowers, a dunk tank, and more.