Title
Ms. Gonez, Ms. Griego, Dr. Rivas - Celebrating Latino Heritage Month in the Los Angeles Unified School District (Res-005-25/26) (Noticed August 26, 2025)
Body
description
Whereas, The United States has observed Latino/a/e Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 since 1988 to commemorate the contributions, heritage, achievements, and cultural influences of Latino Americans in the United States;
Whereas, Latine Heritage Month also recognizes the intersectionality and diversity of the U.S. Latine population, incorporating indigenous histories and celebrating the independence days of several Latin American countries including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua;
Whereas, Latinos also include people of African and indigenous descent who are too often ignored when talking about the history, culture, and contributions of Latin American peoples, despite making up about 10% of U.S. Latinos;
Whereas, This month-long recognition serves as an opportunity for all Americans to learn more about Latine history, promote cultural awareness and inclusivity, and celebrate diversity both in the present and in our nation’s history;
Whereas, U.S. imperialism and military intervention in Latin America, including in countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, Chile, and Nicaragua, has led to mass migration of people fleeing civil wars and economic hardship to the United States;
Whereas, The U.S. Latine population has grown to become the second largest racial or ethnic group in the United States in the last decade, reaching 62.6 million Latinos as of 2021 and accounting for 19% of all Americans;
Whereas, The state of California is home to the largest Latine population in the country, where they comprise 40.3% of the state’s overall population, and almost 50% of the population of the County of Los Angeles;
Whereas, Communities like Pico-Union, Boyle Heights, Koreatown, South East Los Angeles, Pacoima, San Fernando, and others are the traditional neighborhoods in Los Angeles of immigrant Latine students and their families;
Whereas, Latine students comprise almost 78% of the Los Angeles Unified School District student population, underscoring the importance and relevance of Latine Heritage Month among the District’s students and families;
Whereas, Recognizing and celebrating Latine Heritage Month as a District furthers the work of our Strategic Plan to provide culturally relevant, empowering curriculum that inspires students to become leaders and advocates for their communities;
Whereas, The District is committed to supporting newcomer students and multilingual learners (MLLs), through the establishment of newcomer programs across the District, including international newcomer academies, that are intended to serve students enrolled in U.S. schools for 3 years or less;
Whereas, The District is committed, above and beyond this commemoration, to empowering students through culturally responsive and inclusive learning environments that celebrates the value and diversity of all its students;
Whereas, In the current national climate, recognizing and honoring Latine communities is even more critical, as families face intensified attacks on public education and anti-immigrant rhetoric, violent raids, and policies that threaten the safety and full participation of Latino and immigrant students and families;
Whereas, Ethnic Studies programs are culturally responsive programs that include the study of Latine history, culture, and contributions, but have come under increasing attack from those championing a sanitized version of American history, threatening the ability of students to access inclusive and empowering curriculum;
Whereas, Spanish language instruction plays a critical role in preserving cultural heritage, fostering bilingualism and biliteracy, and supporting students’ academic and social-emotional success, yet is at risk in the face of policy and funding pressures;
Whereas, The District recognizes and celebrates that a significant number of Latine students are indigenous, with many speaking indigenous languages reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity within the Latine community;
Whereas, The experiences of Latine students are impacted by their family’s economic status, with low-income Latine students historically facing some of the widest educational disparities;
Whereas, The current political climate has seen an unprecedented and often violent increase in anti-immigrant enforcement actions, policy proposals, and rhetoric that directly impact Latino students, families, and communities, creating fear and barriers to full participation in public education; and
Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District remains committed to its status as a sanctuary district, implementing policies and practices that protect immigrant students and families from discrimination, harassment, and enforcement actions on school grounds in addition to providing resources and direct support for those impacted; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District hereby recognizes and celebrates September 15 through October 15 as Latino Heritage Month;
Resolved further, That the Office of the Superintendent will work to promote educational resources on Latine history, culture, and heritage and make them widely available to staff, students, and families online through the Los Angeles Unified School District homepage and social media accounts;
Resolved further, That the Board reaffirms its commitment to fully implement and protect Ethnic Studies curriculum that reflects the histories, struggles, and contributions of Latine communities, recognizing it as a critical component of a well-rounded education for all students;
Resolved further, That the Board affirms that, given the large percentage of Latine students in LAUSD, Latine history, experiences, and contributions should be integrated and embedded in all areas of the curricula and at all ages, not just during Latine Heritage Month or in Ethnic Studies, and that the District should, therefore, strive to support educators to do so;
Resolved further, That the Board recognizes the importance of Spanish language instruction as both a core academic subject and a cultural bridge for our diverse communities, and commits to protecting and expanding high-quality, culturally affirming Spanish language programs amid current pressures and threats to bilingual education, as well as continued efforts to foster the inclusion of and improve supports for students and families who are primarily speakers of indigenous languages;
Resolved further, That in light of the current political climate and the heightened attacks on Latine and all immigrant students and families, the Board reaffirms its status as a sanctuary district, its unwavering dedication to ensuring that LAUSD remains a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for every student, regardless of cultural background or immigration status, and to continue advancing policies and practices that protect their rights, dignity, and educational opportunities;
Resolved further, That the Board further reaffirms the need for integrating trauma-informed practices in the curricula and providing mental health support and programs at school sites to support students and their families;
Resolved further, That the District acknowledges that ongoing investments in and implementation of LGBTQ+ supports, the Black Student Achievement Plan, and Student Success Centers will impact our Latine students in a positive and powerful way;
Resolved further, That the Office of the Superintendent will monitor and update the Board on impacts to learning, student and staff attendance, well-being and school climate, and family engagement that may result from current and future federal actions and identify ways LAUSD can mitigate any barriers, provide additional supports, and ensure all students receive their constitutional rights to a public education; and, be it finally
Resolved, That by adoption of this resolution, the Board and Superintendent hereby encourage all students, staff, and families, to commemorate and celebrate the immense historical and cultural contributions that Latine people have made and continue to make here in Los Angeles, California, and the United States particularly in light of the targeted assaults this community faces today.