Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries

Facts about Hispanic Americans The U.S. Hispanic population reached 62.1 million in 2020, up from 50.5 million in 2010.

● The number of Latinos who say they are multiracial has increased dramatically.

● Hispanics have become the largest racial or ethnic group in California.

● Three states saw their Hispanic populations increase by more than 1 million from 2010 to 2020.

Texas (+2.0 million)
California (+1.6 million)
Florida (+1.5 million)

● North and South Dakota have seen the fastest growth in their Hispanic populations since 2010.

● The share of U.S. Hispanics with college experience has increased since 2010.

● People of Mexican origin accounted for nearly 62% (about 37.2 million) of the nation’s overall Hispanic population as of 2019.

○ Those of Puerto Rican origin are the next largest group, at 5.8 million

● Four-in-five Latinos are U.S. citizens

Learn more facts about Hispanic Heritage here.

2021 Hispanic Heritage Month Poster Winner

“The 2021 Hispanic Heritage Month theme invites us to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and to reflect on how great our tomorrow can be if we hold onto our resilience and hope. It also encourages us to reflect on all the contributions Hispanics have made in the past and will continue to make in the future….”-Ms. Eliana De León

More Facts about why we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month…

Latinos advance communities across the country as small business owners, veterans, teachers, and public servants, among many other professions. Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to recognize their achievements and contributions to our national story.

“We did not cross the border, the border crossed us”

Out of two wars, The Mexican-American and The Spanish-American Wars, two Treaties (The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Treaty of Paris, respectively) gave the United States territories in the southwest and Puerto Rico, incorporating the peoples of these areas into the United States.

In America today, one in four children is Hispanic

The House on Mango Street. is a novel by Sandra Cisneros used in classrooms across America, the novel is about a little girl, Esperanza, growing up Latina in Chicago and the importance of family and traditions.

Latin Jazz is a combination of African-American and Latin rhythms first mixed together in the 1940s

Jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie and Cuban percussionist Chano Pozo first collaborated to create Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz. New York’s Palladium Ballroom became the hub of Latin jazz with greats such as Tito Puente, Machito and his Afro-Cubans, and Tito Rodriguez, among others

Day of the Dead is not Halloween. Celebrated on November 1 and 2, Day of the Dead remembers family and community members that have passed.

2021 Hispanic Heritage Poster Winner

“Humanity is going through very painful moments caused by the pandemic, but we must remember that after the storm comes the calm. In this portrait, we can appreciate a hand that raises the flags of Hispanics together with people of different ethnicities looking towards a majestic rainbow that represents Hope….”-Ms. Adroma Castillo

Hispanic Heritage Month Activities

Resources for K-12 and Additional Resources

For Teachers and Parents

The Latino Family Literacy Project

Student Leadership & Empowerment

From our DCCPTA Student Representative, Julius Graham:

Let’s Talk About It-Aug Student Leadership

Students have history on their side! Students have long been a driving force behind incredible movements for social change! One of the most powerful historical examples of this is during the Civil Rights Era. Students were involved in the marches for desegregation and were the turning tide for national support for the Constitutional amendments that would come from the Civil Rights Era. Students have put themselves on the line for change and paid the price with jail time, attacks from police dogs, violent sprays from high pressured fire hoses and cruel treatment from communities against school integration. More recently students have been significant contributors to environmental justice efforts, protection of Native land, school and gun safety as well as continued efforts against discriminatory practices in their schools and communities.

Students are often the bellwether that shows us our true reflection as a society and what areas we need to work on. As the adults in their lives, whether a family member or educator, we can leave space for their perspective and just as we teach them to listen and be respectful of those in authority over them, may we also be open to doing the same in return. There is value and wisdom in all stages of life. Let’s encourage them to think for themselves and to use their voices-we are all better for their perspective.