Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
September 2022 NEWSLETTER
In This Issue
2. Shout-Out to our P-H-M Teachers and Staff
3. Shout-Out to our P-H-M Students
4. National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month
5. Upcoming Events
6. Diversity Month Calendar
Welcome Back
Go PHM!
Mr. White
Shout-Out to one of our PHM Teachers
What an awesome accomplishment Mr. Crooks! Thank you for all your amazing work you do with your students at Penn High School for the PHM community. We all appreciate you. #Keep pedaling!
Do you know a teacher or staff member who should be our next shout-out? Please let me know!
Shout-Out to our Penn High School Band Students
We also appreciate the countless hours throughout the summer and school year the band spends practicing together to create the magical sound of excellence we have grown so accustomed to hear and expect: "One Band, One Sound"! We are very excited to hear the "Marching Kingsmen" continue their proud tradition of excellence this fall.
Do you know a student or group who should be our next shout-out! Please let me know!
September is National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month
Ten Interesting Hispanic & Latino American Heritage Facts to Know
The label "Hispanic" refers to people who speak Spanish and/or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations. This is contrasted by "Latino" which refers to people who are from or descended from people from Latin America.
2. United through our shared language.
While Hispanic and Latino people may have different histories and cultures, many are united through their shared language of Spanish. In 2021, Forbes stated that more than 559 million people speak Spanish around the world. Out of that number, 460 million people are native speakers, making it the second largest population of native speakers behind Mandarin.
3. The oldest city in the U.S.
On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés officially claimed Florida on behalf of Spain at the port of St. Augustine, which is considered the first European (Spanish) settlement in the United States.
4. The Hispanic population in America is multi-ethnic.
Nearly 60 million individuals are Spanish-speaking, and their demographics and economics vary. As Latin American migration patterns change, so do the origins of U.S. Hispanics.
5. The largest Hispanic population.
Mexican-Americans make up more than 60% of the nation's total Hispanic population.
6. Two Billion Views and Counting.
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is ranked as the most-streamed Latin artist on Spotify and became one of only three female artists to have two YouTube videos exceeding two billion views.
7. Plenty of "American" traditions originated from Hispanic culture.
Did you know? The cowboy hat, rodeos, and ranching are all from Spain and Mexico. Several state names like Montana, Colorado, and Nevada come from Spanish words. Even barbeque which is beloved and cooked in different ways across the U.S., originated from the intersection of Spanish and Caribbean traditions.
8. Hispanic Americans have fought in every war, dating back to the American Revolution.
According to the Minority Veterans Report by the Department of Veterans Affairs, over 1.2 million vets in the US are of Hispanic or Latino descent.
9. Birthday Wishes!
Las Mañanitas is a well-known birthday song among the people of the Hispanic/Latino community. The family usually sings this song in their honor before the individual wakes up or shortly after they've had their cake.
10. A baby's first haircut.
Spanish traditions dictate that it is bad luck to cut a baby's hair before learning to walk.
Ways to Celebrate Hispanic & Latino American Heritage Month
2. Create a bulletin board showcasing Hispanic & Latino American contributions to the U.S.
3. Attend a festival honoring Hispanic Heritage Month.
4. Read books by Hispanic and Latino authors.
5. Enjoy lunch or dinner at a local authentic Latino restaurant.
6. Take a dance class-Salsa, Mambo, Rumba, Cha Cha, Bachata, and Samba.
7. Take a virtual tour or visit a museum highlighting Hispanic and Latino Culture.
8. Support a Hispanic or Latino-owned business.
HISPANIC & LATINO AMERICAN TRAILBLAZERS
Dolores Huerta
Ritchie Valens
Valens was born as Richard Steven Valenzuela in Los Angeles, California on May 13, 1941. He later changed his name to Ritchie Valens at the insistence of his music producer to attract a wider American audience. Ritchie's breakout hits, "Donna" and "La Bamba," put him on the level of other huge pop stars of the day. On February 3, 1959, on what has become known as "The Day the Music Died," Valens died in a plane crash in Iowa with others at the young age of 17. Although his life was short, it was impactful. He is credited to introducing Mexican music to a wide range of American audiences. In 2001, Valens was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Jovita Idár
Tony Gonzalez
Luis Walter Alvarez
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Richard Cavazos
Richard Cavazos born on January 31, 1929 in Kingsville, Texas. The brother of the former United States Secretary of Education, Lauro Cavazos, Richard was the first Hispanic person to become a four-star general in the United States Army in 1982. Cavazos received a number of military honors throughout his illustrious career, including the distinguished service cross, the silver star, the bronze star, and the purple heart. He served for thirty-three years, with his final command as head of the United States Army Forces Command.
Linda Ronstadt
Dr. Franklin Chang- Díaz
Upcoming Events
1. 11th Annual Indiana Latino Education Summit and College & Career Fair-South Bend Century Center. September 1, 8:30am-2:00pm.
2. Hispanic Heritage Month Family Fest and Car Show. O'Brien Fitness Center, 321 E Walter Street, South Bend, In. Saturday, September 17, 9 am- 6 pm.
3. 2nd Hispanic Heritage Festival-Downtown Goshen, Inc. 324 S 5th St, Goshen, Indiana. Saturday, September 17, 1-11 pm.
September 2022 Diversity Month Calendar
August 24-September 1: Paryushan Parva, a Jain festival lasting about eight to ten days that is observed through meditation and fasting. Its main focus is spiritual upliftment, pursuit of salvation and a deeper understanding of the religion.
September 5: Labor Day in the United States. Labor Day honors the contribution that laborers have made to the country and is observed on the first Monday of September.
September 8: United Nations-International Literacy Day. Proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965 and first celebrated in 1966, International Literacy Day highlights the importance of literacy to individuals and society and promotes literacy as a fundamental human right.
September 10: Pitru Paksha begins. Pitru Paksha is a period of 16 lunar days in Hindu calendar when Hindus pay homage to their ancestor, especially through food offerings
September 11: Patriot Day. President George W. Bush proclaimed three days of prayer and remembrance to be held each year on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday proceeding September 11th to commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S.
September 11: Ethiopian New Year. Rastafarians celebrate the New Year on this date and believe that Ethiopia is their spiritual home.
September 18: International Equal Pay Day, celebrated for the first time in September 2020, represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. It further builds on the United Nations' commitment to human rights and against all forms of discrimination, including discrimination against women and girls.
September 23: Native American Day, a Federal holiday observed annually on the fourth Friday in September every year. It honors Native American cultures, accomplishments, contributions and heritage across the U.S.
September 25-27 (sundown to sundown): Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year celebration, marking the creation of the world.
September 27: Elevation of the Life Giving Cross (Holy Cross), a day that commemorates the cross used in the Crucifixion of Jesus in some Christian denominations.
September 29: Michaelmas, or the Feast of Michael and All Angles, is a Christian festival dedicated to Archangel Michael that is observed in some liturgical calendars.
Derrick White, DEI Officer for Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation
Email: dwhite2@phm.k12.in.us
Website: phmschools.org
Location: 56100 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN, USA
Phone: 574-258-9505