Hispanic Heritage Month

 

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th. This month-long celebration begins on the 15th of the month, instead of on the 1st of the month, because it coincides with the independence days of several Latin American countries on the 15th, followed by Mexico on the 16th, Chile on the 18th, and Belize on the 22nd.  

All children need opportunities to celebrate and explore various cultures, especially when that culture is their very own.  Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to explore the diversity within the Hispanic population.  Educators and school officials can motivate Hispanic parents to help teach their children about the significant presence and influence of Hispanics in our society.  Some ways that parents can get involved in teaching their children about Hispanic Heritage Month include:

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates a diverse group of people. They trace their roots to Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Of the district’s nearly 70,000 students, more than 73 percent are Hispanic. They represent many Spanish-speaking countries.

Sneak Peak

• Depending on how you count, there are 22 Spanish-speaking countries in the world.
• Spanish is the second most widely spoken language on the planet. The number of Spanish speakers worldwide has soared to 572 million, which includes native and non-native speakers.
• Around 754 million people are expected to speak the Spanish language globally by 2050, report shows.
• According to the official US census, the United States will have the highest number of Spanish speakers in the world after Mexico by 2060, and around 28.6% of the population will be Hispanic.
• Houston’s Hispanic population is increasing rapidly as more Latin American immigrants move to the area to work. Houston now has the 3rd largest Hispanic population in the United States.
• Texas’ Hispanic population is on pace to be the largest share of the state by 2021.

RSMS recognizes the diversity in our school — virtually and in person.

National Hispanic Heritage Month falls during the anniversaries of independence for several Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico’s Independence is September 16.

We Are More Alike Than Different

Hispanic and Latino-Americans can have European, African, Asian, and indigenous ancestry. The district encourages everyone to learn about Hispanics’ various cultures, customs, traditions, and history.

Contact your child’s school for information about how they will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.

¡Siéntete orgulloso de tus raíces! — Be proud of your roots!

Online Resources

There are many online resources to learn more about the history and contributions of Hispanics. Click on the following examples:

PBS — Hispanic Heritage Month

PBS — Start PBS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month With Special Programming

PBS — Latino Americans

Smithsonian Latino Center

Smithsonian Family and Public Programs

Smithsonian — Latino Center

Smithsonian’s History Explorer

Smithsonian Explores History and Experiences of Black Latinos in the United States

At the Intersection of Blackness and Latinidad: The Afro-Latinx Community in Washington, D.C.

Afro-Latino Experience — Smithsonian Institute

Teaching Tolerance — Latino Civil Rights Timeline

Exploring the History of Latino Civil Rights

Click on the following for classroom ideas:

National Hispanic Heritage Month: Ideas for Teachers

Colorín Colorado Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrate Latinx Heritage

EDSITEment! — Hispanic Heritage and History in the United States

Poets.org

 

Hispanic Heritage Month With a Celebration of Hispanic Artists