Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, we have the privilege of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the diverse cultures, rich histories, and invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across Arlington, the United States and beyond.

This month is more than a tribute to the past; it is a celebration of the present achievements and a commitment to building a more inclusive future. At APS, we proudly recognize the power of diversity and the importance of uplifting the voices that shape our schools, our communities and our world.

Hispanic and Latino individuals have made lasting impacts through art, literature, music, science, politics, cuisine, and many other fields. Their stories are filled with resilience, creativity and leadership. It is our responsibility to ensure that those stories are seen, heard and valued.

By celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, we reaffirm our dedication to:

• Fostering cultural appreciation and mutual respect
• Creating and sustaining spaces where every student and family feels a sense of belonging
• Educating our students and the greater community about the richness of Hispanic and Latino identity and history

All schools will be planning various events and recognitions to raise awareness among our students. Let’s come together with joy, curiosity, and unity to learn, to share, and to grow. When we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the strength found in diversity, the power of inclusion and the promise of a future built together.

At the Sept. 18 School Board meeting, APS will share a Hispanic Heritage Month tribute video that includes staff, students, and community members talking about what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them. New this year, APS is providing opportunities for the community to share video submissions about various heritage months, and a group of student interns are producing celebratory videos for each month. APS will also share these videos in our weekly newsletters. Thank you to all who contributed for Hispanic Heritage Month!

Thank you for being a part of this meaningful journey of recognition, education and community.