RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE PETALUMA CITY (ELEMENTARY) AND PETALUMA JOINT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF THE COUNTY OF SONOMA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, FOR DECLARING MAY AS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

WHEREAS, the United States designates May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of generations of AAPI people to this country’s history, society, and culture; and

WHEREAS, the month of May was selected for AAPI Heritage Month because the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States in May 1843, and the first transcontinental railroad was completed on May 1869, with substantial contributions from Chinese immigrants; and

WHEREAS, the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community is an inherently diverse population, composed of more than 45 distinct ethnicities and more than 100 language dialects; and

WHEREAS, according to the US Census Bureau, California is home to over 6.4 million AAPI people, making up over 16% of the state’s population; and

WHEREAS, despite hardships and barriers, the people of Asia and the Pacific Islands who have come to this country, and their descendants, make substantial contributions to California’s development and weave distinct threads into the state’s social fabric; and

WHEREAS, according to the latest California Department of Education data, at least 3.6% of students in Petaluma City Schools, 3.8% of its classified staff, and 2.7% of its certificated staff, identify as AAPI, and they all contribute to a cultural mosaic that is a strength of the school district and the community; and

WHEREAS, core values in the governance of Petaluma City Schools include the beliefs that “all students reach high levels of achievement through rigorous and culturally relevant curriculum,” and “diversity is an asset that strengthens and enriches our learning community”; and

WHEREAS, all students need opportunities to understand the common humanity underlying all people while learning their own cultural identity and heritage; and to understand and respect the cultural identities and heritage of others;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Petaluma City (Elementary) and Petaluma Joint Union High School District Board of Education hereby recognize May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and encourage all Petaluma families, students, and staff to investigate and celebrate the contributions of AAPI people to the
community of Petaluma, the State of California, and the United States.

The foregoing resolution was introduced by Board Member Webster, who moved its adoption,
seconded by Member Cloud, and adopted on roll call by the following vote:

CLOUD: Aye GEN: Aye PAUN: Aye QUINN: Aye WEBSTER: Aye

WHEREUPON, the President declared the above resolution adopted, and SO ORDERED this 9th day of May 2023.