Amid the festivities and excitement of the holiday season, the Multilingual Education Department is celebrating the diversity of our HISD community. In one of the nation’s most diverse cities, with no ethnic majority, HISD serves students from 142 countries who speak more than 100 languages.

Students at Las Americas Newcomer School celebrate with holiday gift bags

By recognizing the holiday celebrations of HISD students of all backgrounds, the District’s Multilingual Department aims to foster cross-cultural learning experiences and create a supportive and inclusive environment for all students.

“It is important to learn about the holiday traditions of other cultures so we can actively practice being more culturally aware, respectful, and inclusive of all of our students, families, colleagues, and community members,” said HISD Multilingual Program Director Sonya Monreal. “The more we know, the more we can all connect and appreciate each other for our differences and similarities. We all seek to belong, and by embracing each other’s culture, we create a safe space and community for each other.”

Students are learning from their peers about the cultural traditions that they celebrate and will continue to do so throughout the year. The Multilingual Department is planning a 2024 Multicultural Day, and more information will be forthcoming soon.