NPS Celebrates Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Norwalk Public Schools and the Norwalk Board of Education is proud to recognize May as National Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. This month is a time to celebrate the vibrant cultures, diverse histories, and invaluable contributions of the fastest growing racial groups in the United States.

Though the population of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders in the Norwalk Public Schools community is relatively small, their presence enriches our school community, and we are proud to honor their heritage, histories, and voices.

The observance of AANHPI Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in the late 1970s and was extended to a full month in 1992 through an act of Congress. In 2021, President Joe Biden formally expanded the celebration to explicitly include Native Hawaiians, recognizing their unique place in the history and cultural fabric of the United States.

The month of May holds particular significance: May 7 marks the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843, and May 10 commemorates the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869—an achievement made possible largely through the labor of Chinese immigrants.

We also take this opportunity to reflect on the complex and often painful history shared between the United States and many Asian nations, particularly as the U.S. and the world commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. These historic milestones invite us to honor those who served, to remember the lives lost, and to recognize the far-reaching consequences of war.

These conflicts not only shaped foreign policy and global relations but also profoundly impacted Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Many families were displaced or immigrated during or after these wars, and generations have carried the weight of these experiences. Today, we continue to build bridges of friendship, diplomacy, and economic cooperation with nations such as Japan and Vietnam—transforming once turbulent relationships into partnerships built on mutual respect and shared goals.

Despite these contributions and ongoing efforts toward unity, the 2025 STAATUS (Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the U.S.) Index Report found 63% of Asian Americans report feeling unsafe in day-to-day spaces, and 63% fear they will be victims of discrimination in the next five years.

That reality only strengthens our resolve to ensure that our Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students feel safe, seen, and celebrated in our schools and throughout our community.

By declaring May as National Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Norwalk Public Schools and the Norwalk Board of Education encourages all members of our school community to engage in learning about the rich heritage and enduring legacies of AANHPI communities—from their advancements in science, technology, and civil rights to their influence in the arts, cuisine, and beyond. These communities have long been integral to our nation's story, and they are vital to our shared future.