Berkeley Public Schools

Join BUSD in Celebrating Latine/x Heritage Month / Únase a BUSD en la Celebración del Mes de la Herencia Latine/x

A banner with a white background and a red border. The text "A NOTE FROM ENIKIA" is prominently displayed in red and orange. Below this, in smaller black text, is "SUPERINTENDENT FORD MORTHEL." A horizontal black line separates the text from a graphic of a pencil pointing to the right. The pencil is segmented into four maroon rectangles, each containing a white word: "EXCELLENCE," "EQUITY," "ENGAGEMENT," and "ENRICHMENT." To the right of the text and pencil graphic is a portrait photograph of a woman with dark hair, wearing a light-colored patterned top and a light-colored jacket. She is smiling and looking towards the viewer. Below the photograph is the "Berkeley PUBLIC SCHOOLS" logo in red, with the text "Berkeley Unified School District" in smaller black letters underneath.

September 15, 2025

 

Dear Berkeley Unified Family,

Today marks the start of our month-long celebration of Latine/x Heritage Month at BUSD, a time to uplift and honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of the Latine/x community in Berkeley and across the country. This period from September 15 through October 15 provides a vital opportunity to reflect on the significant role that Latine/x individuals have played—and continue to play—in shaping our society.

BUSD recognizes that the contributions, culture, and history of Latine/x peoples are critical to our past, present, and future, not only during this heritage month but every day. We invite all families to review these resources and join us in exploring and appreciating the diversity, brilliance, and richness of a diaspora of people, languages, and cultures that make up the beautiful mosaic of the Latine/x community.

Latine/x Heritage Month Resources

Visit the district’s Latine/x Heritage Month Resources web page for reading lists by grade level, family guides, teaching resources, event information, and much more.

 

Latine/x Heritage Month Events

 

A vibrant and colorful festival flyer for the "Comunidad en la Placita" event, celebrating its 10th anniversary and Latino Heritage Month. The flyer is filled with bright flowers and a large monarch butterfly. The title "Comunidad en la Placita" is in a decorative font, with the date "Sunday September 21" below it. The event is hosted by Latinos Unidos de Berkeley and features "ALL DAY FAMILY FUN" including food trucks, live music, vendors, a kids' zone, and a health and resource fair. The location is specified as "MLK Civic Center Park, 2151 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley, CA 94704" and the time is "11:00 AM TO 5:00 PM." There are also illustrations of a food truck, a classic car, and a butterfly motif. At the bottom, it says "GET FREE TICKETS AT: www.latinosunidosberkeley.com" and lists various partners and sponsors.

Comunidad en la Placita – Sept. 21

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Comunidad en la Placita, a family-friendly festival presented by Latinos Unidos de Berkeley with BUSD sponsorship.

  • Date: Sunday, September 21
  • When: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Where: MLK Civic Center Park

This all-day event, part of the Official Latino Heritage Month Festival, features food trucks, live music, vendors, a kids’ zone, and a health and resource fair. 

Berkeley Historical Society & Museum Event – Sept. 21

A promotional poster for the Berkeley Historical Society & Museum's exhibit, "Berkeley's Latino Community: A Story of Pride & Resilience 1900-2025." The poster has a rustic, reddish-brown background with a white decorative border. The main image features three large, white icons: a raised fist on the left, a heart in the center, and a cactus on the right. Below the icons, the exhibit title and details are written in a simple, sans-serif font. The exhibit runs from September 2025 to March 2026.

This exhibit tells the powerful story of pride, resilience, and activism in Berkeley’s Latine/x community from 1900 to 2025. Through photographs, oral histories, and community art, it honors the legacy and contributions of everyone from early migrant laborers to student organizers, artists, and leaders. Learn more here.

OPENING RECEPTION

  • Cost: Free
  • Date: September 21, 2025
  • When: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Where: 1931 Center St., Berkeley

We will continue to celebrate history and heritage months throughout the 2025-2026 school year, recognizing that learning about and celebrating the diversity within our community fosters a deeper sense of understanding and belonging for everyone. 

I hope you get a chance to attend some of the Latine/x Heritage Month events and enjoy the resources available on our webpage. I am #BerkeleyPROUD of our beautifully diverse school community–a community that I feel honored to lead every day. 

¡Adelante!

Enikia Ford Morthel
Superintendent

Septiembre 15, 2025


Estimadas Familias en Berkeley Unified:

Hoy comienza nuestro mes de celebración del Mes de la Herencia Latine/x en BUSD, un momento para ensalzar y honrar la historia, culturas y contribuciones de la comunidad Latine/x en Berkeley y a través de todo el país. Este periodo, que abarca del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, brinda una oportunidad única para reflexionar acerca del importante papel que las personas latinas han desempeñado, y siguen desempeñando, en la formación de nuestra sociedad.

BUSD reconoce que las contribuciones, cultura e historia de los pueblos latinos son fundamentales para nuestro pasado, presente y futuro, no solo durante este mes dedicado a la herencia cultural, sino todos los días. Invitamos a todas las familias a revisar estos recursos y a unirse a nosotros para explorar y apreciar la diversidad, brillantez y riqueza de una diáspora de personas, idiomas y culturas que conforman el hermoso mosaico de la comunidad latina.

Recursos para el Mes de la Herencia Latine/x

Consulte la página web del distrito Recursos para listas de lectura por nivel de grado, guías familiares, recursos didácticos, información de eventos y mucho más.

 

Eventos del Mes de la Herencia Latine/x

 

This is a vibrant, colorful flyer for the "Festival del Mes de la Herencia Latina" (Latine Heritage Month Festival). The top of the flyer has a monarch butterfly, surrounded by flowers in yellow, red, and blue. The title "Comunidad en la Placita" (Community in the Plaza) is prominent. The event is presented by "Latinos Unidos de Berkeley" to celebrate their 10th anniversary. The date is Sunday, September 21st, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at MLK Civic Center Park, located at 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704. The event offers family-friendly fun with food trucks, live music, vendors, and health and resource fair. Below the main text, it says, "Consigue tus boletos gratis en: latinosunidosberkeley.com," which translates to "Get your free tickets at: latinosunidosberkeley.com." The bottom of the flyer displays the logos of sponsors and collaborators including Latinos Unidos de Berkeley, Hispano Institute for Advancement, Berkeley Unified School District, Crita Canta Vota, Verde Vida, and Roox Live.

Comunidad en la Placita – Sept. 21

Celebra el décimo aniversario de Comunidad en la Placita, un festival apto para familias presentado por Latinos Unidos de Berkeley con el patrocinio BUSD.

  • Fecha: Domingo, 21 de septiembre
  • Hora: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Donde: MLK Civic Center Park

Este evento, que dura todo el día y forma parte del Festival Oficial del Mes de la Herencia Latina, cuenta con “food trucks”, música en vivo, vendedores, una zona infantil y una feria de salud y recursos.

Evento de la Sociedad Histórica y Museo de Berkeley – 21 de Septiembre

Esta exposición narra la impactante historia del orgullo, resiliencia y el activismo de la comunidad Latine/x en Berkeley desde 1900 hasta 2025.. A través de fotografías, historias habladas y arte comunitario, rinde homenaje al legado y las contribuciones de todos, desde los primeros trabajadores migrantes hasta los organizadores estudiantiles, artistas y líderes. Más información aquí.

 RECEPCIÓN DE INAUGURACIÓN

  • Costo: Gratuito
  • Fecha: Septiembre 21, 2025
  • Hora: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Donde: 1931 Center St., Berkeley

 Seguiremos celebrando los meses dedicados a la historia y al patrimonio a lo largo del ciclo escolar 2025-2026, reconociendo que aprender y celebrar la diversidad dentro de nuestra comunidad fomenta un sentido más profundo de comprensión y pertenencia para todos.

Espero que usted tenga la oportunidad de asistir a algunos de los eventos del Mes de la Herencia Latine/x y disfrutar de los recursos disponibles en nuestra página web. Estoy #BerkeleyPROUD de nuestra comunidad escolar maravillosamente diversa, una comunidad de la cual me siento honrada de dirigir cada día.

¡Adelante!

Enikia Ford Morthel
Superintendente

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