Arab American and SSWANA Heritage Month | Berkeley Unified School District

This is a blue graphic with some design patterns and the following text: BUSD Honors Arab American & SWANA Heritage Month, April 2024

In April, BUSD celebrates Arab American & South Asian, Southwest Asian, North African (SSWANA) Heritage Month, lifting up and honoring the contributions of Arab Americans and SSWANA Americans in our school community, our extended communities, and our country.

Enikia

April, 2025

In April, as part of our ongoing commitment to inclusivity, we continue the celebration of Arab American & South Asian, Southwest Asian, North African (SSWANA) Heritage Month at BUSD. Together we recognize and uplift the Arab American and SSWANA communities that contribute so much to the strength of BUSD and recognize their many contributions made locally and around the country.

National Arab American Heritage Month was first recognized at the federal level in April 2021 by President Biden, following an initiative launched by the Arab American Foundationin 2017. We join communities across the country in honoring the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Arab American and SSWANA peoples here in Berkeley and beyond.

At BUSD, one of our core values is that “We take pride in our diversity.” We recognize that the communities within the Arab American and SSWANA identities are incredibly diverse—spanning different countries, languages, religions, histories, cultures, and lived experiences. While no single set of resources can fully represent every Arab and SSWANA country, the materials below were created in the spirit of honoring our diverse community and adapting to the evolving needs of our students and families.

We are grateful for the many ways our students, staff, and school communities uplift Arab American and SSWANA heritage throughout the year, with a special focus during April.

As we celebrate this month, I want to reaffirm BUSD’s stance against Islamophobia and all forms of hate—this month and every day. As Superintendent, I remain committed to ensuring that our Arab American and SSWANA students feel seen, valued, and represented in our classrooms and curriculum.

السلام عليكم
As-salaam alaikum.

Peace be upon you.

Reading Lists

These reading lists, organized by grade level, represent books published in the last five years that are devoted to celebrating, representing, and affirming Arab American and SSWANA heritage, and celebrating the invaluable contributions of our Arab American and SSWANA community. Every school library will receive copies of some of the newest books on the lists.

This is an image of a book called Halal Hot Dogs with an image of a child holding a hot dog and text that explains it is the elementary school reading list. School Reading This is an image of a book cover with a young girl. The book is called Other Words from Home. It also says "Middle School" on top. This is an image of a book with a link the BUSD high school reading list. The book , which is titled "This is All Your Fault" shows an image of three high school age students.

Family Resources

At the top it says: "Three things you can do to celebrate Arab American & South Asian, South West Asian, North African (SSWANA) Heritage Month BUSD Family Guide". There is art of an Arab American woman holding books and walking past clouds. To the right it says LISTEN with links to videos, podcasts, and other resource recommendations. Below it says LEARN and has many additional resources. To the right of that it says LIFT UP with additional resource links below.

2024-25 Family Guide for AASSWANA Heritage Month BUSD (English)

At the top it says: "Tres Cosas Que Usted Puede Hacer Para Celebrar El Mes De La Herencia Arabe Norteamericana Y 'South Asian South West Asian North African' Guia Familiar BUSD". There is art of an Arab American woman holding books and walking past clouds. To the right it says LESCUCHE with links to videos, podcasts, and other resource recommendations. Below it says APRENDA and has many additional resources. To the right of that it says ELEVAR with additional resource links below.

2024-25 Family Guide for AASSWANA Heritage Month BUSD (Spanish)

The language used on the guide is in Arabic. At the top it says: "Three things you can do to celebrate Arab American & South Asian, South West Asian, North African (SSWANA) Heritage Month BUSD Family Guide". There is art of an Arab American woman holding books and walking past clouds. To the right it says LISTEN with links to videos, podcasts, and other resource recommendations. Below it says LEARN and has many additional resources. To the right of that it says LIFT UP with additional resource links below.

2024-25 Family Guide for AASSWANA Heritage Month BUSD (Arab)

Educator Resources

At the top it says: "Arab American & SSWANA Heritage Month TK-12 Teaching Resources. There is art of an Arab American woman holding books and walking past clouds. To the right it says LEXPAND KNOWLEDGE with links to videos, podcasts, and other resource recommendations. Below it says INTERSECTIONAL and has many additional resources.

This TK-8 Teaching Guide was compiled by BUSD’s Ethnic Studies TSA in collaboration with the Professional Development Team.

Lifting Up Arab American and SSWANA Staff Voices

In celebration of our Arab American and SSWANA community, BUSD continues our “Lifting Up Arab American and SSWANA Staff Voices,” campaign to share our Arab American and SSWANA staff’s narratives with our students and community by creating posters featuring their stories and experiences. These posters will be displayed at schools, work sites, on the BUSD website, and in district publications. Sharing these narratives with our students will allow them to deepen connections with Arab American and SSWANA staff across the district.

Please click on each image to see a full-sized poster.

Nagat Alwasim

Rebekka Dagher

Najla Aldhaheri, Khadeja Obad, and Dhekra Mohammed

Corey Wade

Najat Houweidi

Christina Harb

Other Resources

This is a clickable image for a YouTube video. There is text at the top, which says: English-Arabic Storytime: The Rainbow Fish with... There is an image of a man holding up the book "The Rainbow Fish," as if he is about to read it. The book show a fish with rainbow sparkles swimming in the ocean. The image has a caption in English of what the man is saying, which is: "On the cover, we see a fish with colorful fins. " and then on the lower left of the image, we see the text "Watch on Youtube."

The Arab American National Museum posts monthly storytime videos on YouTube. A storyteller will read picture books in both English and Arabic, teaching a few Arabic words and phrases. In this video, resident storyteller Sari Mira reads the book The Rainbow Fish, written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister, in both English and Arabic. Click on the image to watch the YouTube video

Supporting Arab American Students in the Classroom

Must submit two proofs listed below.

All Proofs must be current originals (issued within the last 2 months) imprinted with the name and current Berkeley residential address of the parent/legal guardian. A student can have only one residency for purposes of establishing residency and must be living in Berkeley when submitting forms.

Only personal accounts will be accepted. No care of, DBA or Business accounts.

Voter registration for the most recent or upcoming election
Checking/Savings bank statement
Credit card statement
Action letter from Social Services or Government Agency (canot be property)
Entire utility bill,contract or receipt (PG&E, Landline phone, EBMUD, Internet or Cable)
Paycheck stub or letter from employer on official company letterhead confirming employment and address on file
Valid automobile registration
Valid automobile insurance
Rental contract/lease with payment receipt
Current Renters or Homeowners insurance policy
Current property taxes
Property deed dated within the year