According to the U.S. Census Bureau:
In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad completed May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration that is now known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
In Albemarle County Public Schools, there are 782 students who identify as Asian and 12 students who identify as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. We encourage you to continue to build partnerships and produce relevant curriculum that honors the culture and experiences of these students and their families!
Resources
Below are a few resources to help deepen your learning of the diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities:
- Incorporating Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences in the Early Grades: books that help students explore historical and contemporary experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities (Edutopia)
- 4 Ways to Incorporate More Asian American Perspectives Into the Curriculum: curriculum planning (Edutopia)
- Korean Bell Garden: explore this cultural landmark in Fairfax County, Virginia
- Teaching Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage: a collection of resources and lesson plans for grades K-12 (National Education Association)
Workshop Opportunity
Join us for a virtual Asian American and Pacific Islander Month Resources Workshop on Wednesday, May 18, from 4:45 to 6 p.m. We will discuss classroom best practices, exchange ideas about Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, and take time to curate your school’s library inventory for text options. (You can also access this opportunity through the ACPS Professional Development site.)
Book Giveaway
Win a free copy of Yes we Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country, by award winning children’s author Kelly Yang! Be one of the first three people to email Leslie Wills-Taylor (lwills@k12albemarle.org) and explain how you affirm students, families or staff within your school community of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. You may also share how you leverage your curriculum resources to reflect the cultural experiences rooted within Asian or Pacific Islander history.