|
Dear CSD Families:
As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are reminded that some of the most powerful lessons our children learn do not always come from a textbook. They come from the stories of people who worked hard, faced challenges, opened doors, and never gave up on what was possible. We see those qualities in the story of José Hernández, who grew up in a hardworking farmworker family in California and eventually became an astronaut. We see them in Sylvia Mendez, whose family stood up for educational equality here in Southern California. We see them in Dolores Huerta, whose leadership and commitment to her community continue to inspire others. But perhaps most importantly, we see those same qualities every day in the families who make up our school community, parents who work long hours, grandparents who have sacrificed for their families, and students who are learning that perseverance, courage, and hard work can open doors to a future they may not yet imagine.
Those qualities are also at the heart of our Portrait of a Graduate. We want every student to leave our schools knowing who they are, believing in what they can accomplish, and understanding that their choices and contributions can make a difference in the lives of others. As parents and educators, we have the opportunity to help our children connect their own family stories to that vision. Ask your child this month, “Who in our family has shown perseverance?” or “What is something our family has overcome?” These simple conversations can help children see that the qualities we celebrate in history are qualities they can carry into their own lives. Our students are not simply learning about the people who came before them, they are becoming the people who will shape what comes next. And one day, the story we celebrate may be theirs.
Take care,
Michael Chaix, Ed.D.
Superintendent |
