Thank you for being part of IALAS another school year and being part of an organization that is about unifying and cultivating educational leaders, serving Latinx communities, for the purpose of promoting equity & empowering all students. We value you as a member y como familia!

We enter September excited to celebrate Latino Heritage Month. We celebrate Latinos this month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Latino American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. We start celebrations on September 15. This date is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Celebrations conclude on October 15, 2022. We also celebrate Mexican Independence day on September 16, 2022. On this day Mexicans and Mexican-Americans celebrate Mexico's declaration of independence from Spain in 1810. This month is filled with national pride to honor our ancestry and what Latinos bring and continue to contribute to the United States of America. This is a great time to review your current curriculum and see who is included and should be added when teaching American history. For me the Latino of the year is Bad Bunny and how he has influenced not only the music industry but American culture all together with his music and fashion which defy gender norms. He truly paved the way for further inclusivity and acceptance for all. His uniqueness emulates this generation's custom-made individuality and Latin pride and his influence is found everywhere in our classrooms.

We have our upcoming Fall Mixer coming on October 22, 2022. We will send information to register. Part of getting self-care is socializing with your IALAS familia. You don't want to miss out. Please be on the look out for registration. In meantime, save the date.

Finally, we are excited to introduce two IALAS board members. Francela Lopez and Nicholas Guerrero!! Francela is our new Secretary II and Nicholas joins as our Member-at-Large. We are finally complete.

This is a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and sensitive topic. This month is about hope as well as making sure we spread the word on how to prevent losing a precious life. Make this month a goal to ensure that individuals, friends, students, families or perhaps yourself have access to the resources needed to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help. IALAS is partnered with Care Solace where their goal is to ensure communities can access reliable, ethical and high-quality mental health care services – no matter the circumstances. You can find them at https://www.caresolace.org/. Dial 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline.