April 1, 2025

انقر هنا لقراءة الخطاب باللغة العربية

Dear Team DPS,

April is Arab American Heritage Month! Since 1995, April has been recognized as Arab American Heritage Month as a way to honor and share the incredible impact Arab Americans have made on our nation’s society and culture.

The term “Arab” encompasses a cultural and linguistic identity. Arab Americans are united through their common language, Arabic, and shared history and culture. In Denver, nearly 7,200 people have Arab roots and over 3,000 households in Denver County reported speaking Arabic at home in 2019. Across Colorado, more than 42,000 people share Arab heritage, mostly from Somalia, Iraq, Sudan, Morocco and Jordan.

Arab Americans are a crucial part of our school communities. Recognizing this month is just one way to celebrate their rich heritage and numerous contributions to our world. Together, we can foster a sense of pride and belonging among Arab American individuals and communities while dispelling stereotypes and biases and promoting positive representation.

I encourage you to embrace this learning opportunity in your classrooms and communities. Stay tuned to DPS social media (including my X and Instagram) and the DPS newsletters to learn more about Arab American history, culture, achievements and challenges while building a more inclusive and cohesive school community.

In collaboration,

Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent