Latine/x Resources  

 

The Berkeley Unified School District celebrates Latine/x Heritage Month to recognize and honor the contributions of generations of Latine/x Americans who have enriched and inspired our nation. On June 2, 2021, the Board of Education adopted a resolution in support of the achievement and success of all Latinx students. Read the full resolution here.

Los recursos de Latine/x en español se pueden encontrar aquí.

Our mission in BUSD is to “enable and inspire our diverse student body to achieve academic excellence and make positive contributions to our world.”

We believe that to accomplish this mission and keep our promises of Excellence, Equity, Enrichment and Engagement, we must create school communities and classrooms that are welcoming, humanizing and inclusive. As educators, we have the unique opportunity and responsibility to make our school communities places where all students are seen, heard and affirmed. This happens in many ways including our interactions, our policies and practices, our content and relationships. It requires intentionality and a commitment to celebrate, explore and elevate our individual and collective consciousness about ourselves and each other.

This month, September 15 – October, is the month designated as Latine/x Heritage Month. We appreciate the many ways in which so many of our classes and school communities are places that uplift and celebrate the rich diversity and contributions of the Latine/x community all year long. We also value the fundamental opportunity Latinx Heritage Month offers schools to acknowledge the contributions, culture and history of Latine/x peoples as critical to the past, present and future. We want to explore and highlight the diversity, brilliance, contributions and richness of a diaspora of people, languages and cultures and the beautiful mosaic that is the Latine/x community both in their countries of origin and specifically here in Berkeley and the Bay Area. We hope that these resources support you in these efforts.

¡Adelante!
Enikia Ford Morthel
Supt. Berkeley Unified School District

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle school  students painting a mural in celebration of Día de los Muertos. 

 

Why Latine/x?

You may have noticed that we are using the term “Latine/x” this year. Our district strives to be inclusive and affirming of all gender identities and terms such as Latine and Latinx help us communicate this commitment. Latino, Chicana, Hispanic, and Latinx are just some of the terms that people in our community embrace and identify with. There is no one perfect word for such a diverse group of people and our community will continue to engage in discussions about the ever-evolving terminology that people use to express and celebrate their identities. If you are curious to learn more, we invite you to read this article about the difference between Latine and Latinx.

Reading Lists for All Ages  

 

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

All these books are available through BUSD school libraries as a physical and/or digital book. For more information about any of these books or to check out a copy, please ask your school librarian.

Family Guide

Please enjoy the 2023-2024 Family Guides for celebrating Latine/x Heritage Month.

Three Things You Can Do To Celebrate Latine/x Heritage Month

TK-8 Teaching Resources

This diverse collection of resources was compiled by Joemy Ito-Gates, BUSD’s Ethnic Studies TSA in collaboration with the Professional Development Team.

Some Additional Resources for Teachers:

Selected Resources for Teachers | From the Library of Congress

BUSD’s Ethnic Studies Website 

Events & Celebrations  

 

¡Adelante! Latinx Success Family and Student Workshops

Celebrate Latinx success with a series of strong-start BUSD workshops. Family workshops in English and Spanish on preparing your child for college and life success, navigating the school system, and supporting literacy growth. Student workshops on celebrating identity, community, and a vision for success.

Date: October 7, 2023
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Rosa Parks Elementary Auditorium

A readable PDF of this event flyer can be viewed at this link.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latino Heritage Celebration

Music, Food & Drink, and Activities for the Family!

Location: Intersection of Ashby Ave. and Adeline St., Berkeley
Date: Sunday, October 15
Time:  12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

For more information: latinosunidosdberk@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dia de Los Muertos – “Celebrando las Vidas”

Free Family-Friendly Event

Location: Berkeley High School, 1980 Alston Way, Berkeley
Date: Saturday, October 21
Time: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Free:  Bike Repair & Tune Ups, Community Resources, Massage, Haircuts, Raffles

For Sale: Arts & Crafts, Food

Activities: Altar & Art Exhibition, Children’s Activities, Mariachi & Performances

A readable PDF of this event flyer can be viewed here.

Learn About College Financial Aid

The Latinos Unidos de Berkeley Higher Education Team has also provided the following links for families that have children in high school preparing for the transition to college.

• Paying for College: Understanding Financial Aid
• Preparing to Sign Your FAFSA Electronically
• Navigating the Financial Aid Process
• 2022/23 Financial Aid Application Worksheet
• Accessing College as an Undocumented Student in California

Lifting Up BUSD Staff Latine/x Voices

Please check back on September 20, 2023 to see the newest staff posters.

In celebration of our Latine/x community,  this year BUSD has introduced “Lifting Up Latine/x Voices,” a campaign to share our Latine/x staff 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 Latine/x staff across the district.

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

 

Get Involved and Learn More

American Association of Teachers of Spanish & Portuguese

The Latinx Research Center | UC Berkeley

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

National Hispanic Institute

UnidosUS

United We Dream

Smithsonian Latino Center

 

March 21 to April 10, 2023 is the César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Commemorative Period / De Marzo 21 hasta Abril 10 es el Periodo Conmemorativo de César Chávez y Dolores Huerta

BUSD observes March 21 to April 10 as the César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Commemorative Period–one of the many ways we celebrate and affirm the rich histories of the Chicano, Chicana, Chicanx, Filipina, Filipino, Filipinx, and the Latina, Latino, Latinx communities in our schools.

Read BUSD Resolution No. 21-032 declaring the period of March 21 to April 10 as the César Chávez & Dolores Huerta commemorative period at BUSD.