ACPS Celebrates National Arab Heritage Month

National Arab American Heritage Month celebrates the immeasurable contributions of Arab Americans to our nation and our community. While Arab Americans live in all U.S. states, two- thirds reside in 10 states, Virginia among them. The Arab American Institute has traced ancestries to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has more than 500 pre-K-12 students who list Arabic as their home language.

Arabic-speaking staff support the division from the classroom to school administration. In addition, family liaisons serve as a bridge between our schools and the multilingual families they serve. Bilingual family liaisons, including a dedicated Arabic family liaison position, develop programming, engage in outreach and link families to resources and supports that can ease their transition to the school system. They also empower parents and caregivers from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds to feel confident in serving as advocates for their children and their communities.

As we mark National Arab American Heritage Month in April, cultural institutions, school divisions, municipalities, state legislatures and non-profit organizations celebrate the Arabic community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society. A certificate of recognition from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin recognizes that Arab American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the more than 100,000 Arab Americans in Virginia whose skills and contributions strengthen our economy, culture and communities.