May is nationally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and during the last several weeks, Minnetonka Schools has joined organizations throughout the country in celebrating the historical and cultural contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Along with creating intentional moments for all students and staff to learn, celebrating identity observances, such as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, gives all students the opportunity to see themselves reflected in their schools, both in their classes and in the school culture.

Teachers, principals, students and parent volunteers have worked together to plan activities and learning opportunities to highlight the ways leaders of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage have shaped local and national communities. 

At Minnetonka elementary schools, recognition plans varied by building and included activities such as stories of Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders shared through morning announcements and historical biography posters displayed in school hallways and atriums. PTAs and PTOs at some elementary schools have raised money to purchase diverse library books to represent and celebrate different cultures. Additionally, some elementary schools highlighted Japanese culture while learning about world cultures over the last several weeks, with support from their PTAs and PTOs.

At Minnetonka Middle School West, the Women of Color student group created a newsletter about Asian American and Pacific Islander history, which was featured during morning announcements, shared through Schoology and posted in building hallways. School leaders also partnered with the PTO to create a shared schoolwide padlet, or interactive digital posterboard, in support of the heritage month, filled with recipes, crafts and other activities. 

At Minnetonka Middle School East, students and teachers have collaborated to highlight Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as part of morning announcements on Tuesday and Thursdays each week. Posters that share information about the cultural contributions and leaders of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage have been featured throughout the hallways.

At Minnetonka High School (MHS), a variety of announcements, videos and activities have showcased the contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders both within and beyond the local Minnetonka community. Student leaders from a variety of student groups collaborated with MHS leaders and the District's videographer to create a series of videos highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to run on the MHS Morning Show. Students have also met with MHS administrators to share about their experiences at the high school.

View the first MHS student interview feature for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month here.