Staff and Students Celebrate “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future”
From September 15 through October 15, Aldine ISD will join the nation in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) — a time to recognize and learn about the history, journeys, and achievements of Hispanic and Latino American communities. This year’s theme, “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” reminds us of the power of shared culture to shape tomorrow’s leaders and communities.
Throughout the district, schools will host activities such as student performances and family events. Families will be notified of specific celebrations taking place on campuses. At the district level, staff at the Donaldson Administrative Building (DAB) and the Bamberg Professional Development and Resource Center (BAM) will also join in the observance with a month full of cultural, literacy, and storytelling activities.
AISD DAB and BAM staff can click on the image to download the PDF of activities.
Celebration Highlights for Staff at DAB and BAM
Week of September 15–19: Visual Arts and Literacy
- Cultural Art Walls: Celebrating a Collective Heritage
Student artists will create cultural art walls symbolizing the history and contributions of Hispanic pioneers, or pioneros hispanos. These vibrant displays will remain on view at DAB and BAM through October 15. - Dress-Up Day: Who Is Your Hispanic Hero?
On Friday, September 19, staff are encouraged to dress as a Hispanic hero to honor nuestra cultura hispana. A photo backdrop will be available at both locations. - Lotería de Lectura: The Book Lotería Returns!
Back by popular demand, this Book Bingo encourages staff to read works that highlight Hispanic culture and authors. Participants can submit completed cards, which are available in the PDF or click here to download, by October 14. Winners will be announced on October 15. Details to submit can be found in the PDF.
Week of September 22–26: Sabores y Tradiciones
Food plays a vital role in preserving cultural traditions. Staff are encouraged to share dishes or explore local restaurants featuring Hispanic cuisine. On Tuesday, September 23, colleagues are invited to enjoy cafecito y pan dulce (coffee and sweet bread) at both DAB and BAM.
Week of September 29–October 3: Nuestras Historias / Our Stories Panel
Storytelling is central to understanding culture and building connections. On Friday, October 3, at 11:30 a.m., staff are invited to a virtual leadership panel where Hispanic/Latino leaders will discuss how their heritage has influenced their leadership in Aldine ISD. A meeting link will be shared closer to the event date.
Week of October 6–10: Celebrate Around Town
During the Fall Holiday, staff are encouraged to celebrate HHM across Houston. From parades and art exhibits to cultural festivals, the city offers countless opportunities to explore Hispanic culture with family and friends. Click here for details.
Week of Oct. 13-15: Book Lotería Wraps Up
Book Bingo encourages staff to read works that highlight Hispanic culture and authors. Participants can submit completed cards, which are available in the PDF above or click here to download, by October 14. Winners will be announced on October 15. Details to submit can be found in the PDF.
Why Hispanic Heritage Month Matters
- Hispanic Heritage Month began as a weeklong observance in 1968 and was later extended to a month in 1988. It aligns with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American nations, including Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
- Today, the month celebrates the cultures and traditions of people with roots in Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. From food and art to literature and storytelling, HHM offers an opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow together.
A Few Facts
- Spanish is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages — with nearly 500 million native speakers and close to 600 million total speakers across the globe. From Africa to Asia, Spanish continues to spread, connecting people from different cultures and backgrounds. By 2050, the Cervantes Institute predicts that the population in officially Spanish-speaking nations will reach 750 million.
- Aldine ISD has over 23,000 students identified as emergent bilinguals. Based on a home language survey, 32,000 Aldine ISD families list Spanish as their home language.
We are More Alike Than Different
Hispanic and Latino Americans can trace their heritage to a variety of ancestries — European, Jewish, African, Asian, and indigenous — a testament to the rich diversity within the community. This diversity is what makes our community vibrant and unique, and we celebrate it during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Share Your #AldineStory During #HHM2025
Aldine ISD invites everyone to join in celebrating #HHM2025 and share their experiences using #AldineStory. By sharing our stories and traditions, we can showcase the diverse voices that continue to shape our community during Hispanic Heritage Month.
