Hispanic Heritage Month

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  • Ways to Celebrate

    Cultural Workshops and Presentations: Organize workshops, presentations, and talks that highlight the history, traditions, art, music, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities. Invite guest speakers, artists, musicians, and educators to share their expertise.

    Cultural Performances: Arrange performances of traditional Hispanic music, dance, and theater by students, local community groups, or professional performers. This can showcase the rich cultural diversity within the Hispanic community.

    Film Screenings: Screen documentaries, films, or short videos that focus on Hispanic history, culture, and achievements. Follow up with discussions and activities that encourage critical thinking and dialogue.

    Art and Literature Exhibitions: Organize art displays and literature exhibitions featuring works by Hispanic artists and authors. This can include both historical and contemporary pieces.

    Culinary Events: Host food festivals or cooking demonstrations where students and families can learn about and enjoy Hispanic cuisine. This is a great way to explore the diversity of flavors and dishes from various Hispanic countries.

    Language Exploration: Offer introductory workshops or classes in Spanish to expose students to the language. Encourage bilingual students to share their language skills and experiences with their peers.

    Cultural Competitions: Organize contests related to Hispanic culture, such as art contests, essay contests, or trivia challenges. Provide incentives to encourage participation and recognize winners.

    Community Outreach: Collaborate with local Hispanic community organizations to co-host events, workshops, and celebrations. This strengthens ties between your school and the broader community.

    Decorations and Displays: Decorate school buildings and classrooms with artwork, flags, and information related to Hispanic cultures. This visually creates an atmosphere of celebration and education.

    Heritage Assemblies: Plan special assemblies where students can showcase their understanding of Hispanic culture through performances, presentations, and creative expressions.

  • Resources for the Classroom

    • National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2022 - For Teachers - The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tSpanish Fiction Storiesribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
    • Hispanic Heritage Month - Origins & Facts - HISTORY - Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Latinx and Hispanic communities. The event, which spans from September 15 to October 15, commemorates how those communities have influenced and contributed to American society at large.  Hispanic Heritage Month actually began as a commemorative week when it was first introduced in June of 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown. The push to recognize the contributions of the Latinx community had gained momentum throughout the 1960s when the civil rights movement was at its peak and there was a growing awareness of the United States' multicultural identities. 
    • What Is Hispanic Heritage Month and Why Do People Celebrate It? - While you never have to wait for an annual event to take pride in your ethnic background, for Hispanic Americans, the purpose of those four weeks is to honor their respective cultures and the histories behind them. 
    • Recommended Reads: Latinx Representation 
    • Latinx Authors - DPS Library Services recognizes Hispanic heritage encompasses a transcontinental region made up of many countries and cultures.  This collection highlights authors from this region as well as Americans who identify as Hispanic, Latinx, Latino(a), Chicano(a), and/or Mestizo(a).
    • Migration Stories - A collection of stories that reflect the journey and experience of people who have immigrated.  Perspectives include refugees, DACA recipients, emigrants, and immigrants.
    • Spanish Language Fiction - Una colección de títulos de ficción en español.
    • Spanish Language Nonfiction - Una colección de títulos españoles de no ficción.  
    • Together With Dia! | Smore Newsletters for Education - Also known as Dia de los ninos / Dia de los libros - Dia! is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. It is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures. The Dia initiative was founded by author and poet, Pat Mora - visit her website HERE. Find a multitude of helpful resources to plan your Dia celebration on the official Dia website. Dia! = Diversity in Action! 
    • Celebrate Hispanic Culture - Links to Units - Celebrate Hispanic culture all year long with authors, illustrators, books and resources linked here.
    • Hispanic Authors and Illustrators - Click on the author/illustrator name to get more information. To see hundreds of titles by Hispanic/Latinx authors, check out the Latinx Authors Collection in Sora eBooks. Go to LION.dpsk12.org, select your school, click the “E-Books and E-Audiobooks” button, choose Sora and sign in (for students the username is 6 digit student ID and password is 8 digit birthdate.) Don’t forget to explore the Celebrate Hispanic Culture Literacy Units!

  • Click here to learn about local events throughout the month to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

    Hispanic and Latinx Heritage:
    Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates and honors the culture, contributions and influence of individuals who identify as Hispanic and Latinx. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the month honors “the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.”

    Hispanic and Latino are used interchangeably by many—Hispanic is a term used to describe someone of Spanish-speaking origin, while Latino, Latina, and Latinx are used to describe a person of Latin American origin—the celebration, according to the official description, recognizes those whose roots are from a country that speaks Spanish as the primary language, hence why it is primarily referred to as “Hispanic Heritage Month.” Learn more here.

    Additional Resources

  • Hispanic Heritage

    Learning Series

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Calling for Student Submissions! Share Student Work & Art for Hispanic Heritage Month

  • From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, we will be joining in local and national celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month. We want to feature how our students are learning about, connecting with, interpreting and celebrating this cultural moment through their writing, artwork, music, photos and videos. We’ll share submissions on our website and social media channels at the end of the celebration. Submitted content may be screened for a focus on highlighting the moment and grounding in our vision of equity, inclusion and belonging for all students and community. Please email your submissions to DPSEquity@dpsk12.org by Sept. 28 for consideration.


     

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