Spanish books on table in library

Our schools honored Hispanic Heritage Month in a variety of ways this year, highlighting the impact the Hispanic and Latino/Latinx communities have on our society and in our BSD learning community. From a library display honoring the history, culture and achievements of Hispanic and Latino people at the International School, to learning the significance of the phrase “Sí, se puede,” at Phantom Lake Elementary, students and staff grew their cultural competence by learning together. Learn about those and other stories from across the district below.

Spanish Library Display at the International School

Two sixth grade students at the International School, Abigail and Jacquelyn, set up and curated all Spanish books for a display in the library. The display honored the history, culture and achievements of all Hispanic and Latino/Latinx people. Both Abigail and Jacquelyn were from the Spanish immersion program at Puesta Del Sol.

View the collection here.

“Sí, se puede” at Phantom Lake Elementary

At Phantom Lake Elementary, students learned the origins of “Sí, se puede,” in their Morning Broadcast by watching a video interview of Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among many other distinctions. Huerta explains that in Spanish, the phrase means “Yes, I can,” as well as “Yes, we can,” which shows not only what we as individuals can do, but what we can accomplish when we work together.

Latinx Club at Newport High School

Latinx club provides a safe environment for Latinx students at Newport High School. This is a space for Latinx students to get together to talk about, learn and participate in culturally relevant activities. Latinx aims to educate and increase the awareness at NHS about the history and culture of the Latinx community. All students are welcome.

Latino H.E.A.T. at Sammamish High School

Latino H.E.A.T. “Hispanos en Accion Together” is a leadership community service and cultural empowerment group. Created by a small group of Sammamish High School immigrant Latino students in 2004 who were committed to create change, the group aims to raise awareness about the diverse Latino culture, promote positive expressions of identity, and work with SHS and parents to promote success. Latino H.E.A.T. is funded by the United Way and pursues the outcomes of: school success, civic engagement, parent involvement, enhanced self-esteem, positive decision-making, and reduction of risk factors.  

Learn more about Latino H.E.A.T.

Student Culture Presentations at Jing Mei Elementary

Jing Mei honored Hispanic Heritage month by holding mini-assemblies and inviting Latinx students to make presentations about their language, heritage, and culture. They hosted three assemblies to accommodate for each grade band.


Student giving presentation at Jing Mei Elementary
Two students giving presentation at Jing Mei Elementary
The Bellevue School District acknowledges that we learn, work, live and gather on the Indigenous Land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Tribes. We thank these caretakers of this land, who have lived and continue to live here, since time immemorial.