In the 1980’s Arlington had a very active group of citizens who were concerned about the United States intervention in Central America called The Central America Committee. This group participated in protests and rallies, invited speakers to Arlington and worked on specific political actions. Arlington’s Central America group decided to partner with a specific community in Central America. In the early years volunteers organized a rapid response network, advocated against military aid to El Salvador, participated in multiple delegations and sold crafts made by the newly formed women’s cooperative.

In 2005, two Arlington friends with children in pre-school together, discussed reviving the sister city relationship as their children played on the playground. Shortly after, a relationship was forged between the Arlington-Teosinte Sister City Project and the Arlington Enrichment Collaborative (AEC), a fifth – eighth grade after school program and enrichment center. It wasn’t long before fundraising for scholarships in El Salvador became a central focus of the group.

During the Fall of 2007, ATSCP developed a pilot project that would teach Arlington’s fourth graders about the special relationship between Teosinte and Arlington. This curriculum, “Learning Through International Friendship – Bringing Teosinte to Our Schools”, centers around a letter-exchange between school children in Arlington and Teosinte. Each of Arlington’s elementary schools has parent volunteers who work with the teachers and support the curriculum. Volunteers assist the teachers by supplementing the curriculum with special displays about Teosinte, organizing fiestas and other extension activities that relate to El Salvador as the students study rocks and minerals, the geography of North America, and immigration.

One of the fourth grade teachers writes about her experience:

“I got involved with ATSCP through a grant. Through the process of developing curriculum that would celebrate the wonderful relationship between Arlington and Teosinte, I have gained a deep respect for the commitment of my fellow residents and an appreciation for the desire to reclaim one’s home. The ATSCP is what being a true world citizen is all about, honoring that we all share common desires for a good life for ourselves and our family. It’s been a great experience for me.”

Anita-Cristina Calcaterra

Their website: http://www.arlingtonteosinte.org/

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