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.
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.
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
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.
Community Events
Comunidad en la Placita
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Comunidad en la Placita, a family-friendly festival presented by Latinos Unidos de Berkeley.
- Date: Sunday, September 21
- When: 11:00AM – 5:00PM
- Where: MLK Civic Center Park
This all-day event features food trucks, live music, vendors, a kids’ zone, and a health and resource fair. It is part of the Official Latino Heritage Month Festival.
Berkeley Historical Society and Museum
Berkeley’s Latino community has played a vital role in shaping the city’s social, political, and cultural landscape for over a century. This exhibit tells their powerful story of pride, resilience, and activism 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.
- Cost: Free
- Date: September 21, 2025
- When: 2 PM – 5 PM
- Where: 1931 Center St., Berkeley
Learn more here.
Student & Family Resources
Puente Project
The Puente Project is a national award-winning program that has helped tens of thousands of educationally disadvantaged students enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees, and return to the community as leaders and mentors to future generations. Begun in 1981, Puente combines accelerated instruction, intensive academic counseling, and community leadership opportunities. The Puente Project helps to prepare educationally underserved students for college admission and success through its combination of accelerated instruction, intensive academic counseling, and opportunities for community leadership. Puente is open to all students.
Project 2 Inspire
From the California Association of Bilingual Educators (CABE)
CABE’s Parent and Family Engagement Program is focused on working with CABE’s partners from school districts and county offices to provide parents with the best opportunities and resources to help their children succeed in school. To achieve this goal, CABE’s Parent and Family Engagement Program provides high-quality education, resources, and leadership development to ALL parents. P2I offers professional development for district and school administrators, parent involvement coordinators or liaisons, and other family engagement professionals on researched based strategies and effective practices.
Family Guide
Please enjoy the 2025-2026 Family Guides for celebrating Latine/x Heritage Month.
Three Things You Can Do To Celebrate Latine/x Heritage Month
The English Family Guide PDF is HERE.
The Spanish Family Guide PDF is HERE.
TK-12 Teaching Resources
This diverse collection of resources was compiled by BUSD’s Ethnic Studies TSA.
Some Additional Resources for Teachers:
Selected Resources for Teachers | From the Library of Congress
Resources
BUSD’s Families Flourishing Workshop, a collaboration of Berkeley Unified’s Office of Family Engagement & Equity and Latinos Unidos, is an opportunity to reflect and be encouraged to advocate for students.
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)
Lifting Up BUSD Staff Latine/x Voices
(A 2024 Campaign)
In celebration of our Latine/x community last year, BUSD featured “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 were displayed at schools, work sites, on the BUSD website, and in district publications. The posters remain here for all to enjoy.
Please click on each name to see a full-sized poster.
March 21 to April 10, 2024 is the César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and Lary Itliong Commemorative Period / De Marzo 21 hasta Abril 10 es el Periodo Conmemorativo de César Chávez, Dolores Huerta y Lary Itliong
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.
BUSD observa del 21 de marzo al 10 de abril como el Periodo Conmemorativo de César Chávez y Dolores Huerta en celebración de las ricas historias de las comunidades Chicano, Chicana, Chicanx, Filipina, Filipino, Filipinx, y Latina, Latino, Latinx en nuestras escuelas.
Lea la Resolución de BUSD No. 21-032 declarando el periodo de marzo 21 al 10 de abril como el periodo conmemorativo de César Chávez y Dolores Huerta en BUSD.
Mental Health
Daybreak Health offers a comprehensive suite of mental health resources tailored for K-12 students, families, and school staff. Their evidence-based teletherapy programs and interactive webinars address crucial topics in youth mental health, helping to break stigmas and improve academic outcomes. By partnering with Daybreak Health, Berkeley Unified School District demonstrates its commitment to student well-being, potentially leading to improved behavioral outcomes, better grades, and increased attendance.
Below are videos and the full presentations from their webinars.
