Wal-Mart Offers Lessons in Hispanic Heritage

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart is working to distinguish itself as the authority on Hispanic heritage, by selling educational products in stores and offering a new set of educators' tools online beginning today, the first official day of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The retailer said yesterday it will sell children's educational materials and Hispanic Heritage calendars at select stores, as well as publish a special edition of Viviendo magazine, its own quarterly Hispanic publication.

On the Web, Wal-Mart will provide educational materials, including a specially-created educators' tool kit designed to teach children and teens more about Hispanic history and culture. The new tools were developed in response to teacher requests for educational materials Wal-Mart distributed in its stores, the retailer said. The tools, offered exclusively online, will provide teachers online lesson plans for Hispanic Heritage Month. Teachers and parents can access the resource kit from the http://www.walmartstores.com.

Wal-Mart said the new Web site is part of an ongoing "Latin Roots, American Dreams" initiative intended to build awareness, interest, and pride in Hispanic traditions and culture.

"At Wal-Mart, we believe that our strong commitment to diversity is fundamental to our success," said Esther Silver Parker, v.p. of diversity relations for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., in a statement. "We also believe that valuing differences extends beyond our stores and workplace to our relationships with the people and communities we serve. We are proud to bring these educational materials to teachers and parents to help share the vibrant diversity of the Hispanic culture."

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
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