Students mark AAPI Heritage Month at West Orange schools; Connie Salamino named director of student support services

Students from West Orange schools read poems and described cultural programs honoring Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month during the board's May 6 meeting, and the board announced the appointment of Connie Salamino as Director of Student Support Services.

Senior student Vanisha Janaki, a steering-committee member of United Asian Voices, told trustees the group's events give students opportunities to "amplify the voices of students" and urged that AAPI history and perspectives remain part of curriculum year-round, not only during commemorative months. Several younger students also read poems and selections that illustrated family migration stories and cultural traditions.

Curriculum context: Felix Plata, supervisor of ESL and World Languages, described curriculum-development work that has incorporated AAPI-authored texts and cultural units across elementary and secondary grades. Plata noted language offerings that include Chinese beginning in sixth grade and described how the district's library curation and arts programs highlight diverse authors and topics in support of inclusion.

Appointment: The board announced that Connie Salamino will return to lead the department of student support services; Salamino spoke briefly, thanked district staff and families, and said she looks forward to serving in the role and continuing preschool and special-education work the district has developed.

Events: Students and club leaders promoted an upcoming AAPI Heritage Month celebration on Friday, May 31, at West Orange High School featuring cultural performances and community activities; Matthew Emanuel, the Asian Culture Club president, invited the public to attend.

Board response: Trustees thanked students for the presentations and described the district's ongoing work to expand culturally responsive materials across subjects and grade levels.

What's next: The district said it will continue curriculum review and community events tied to cultural observances and will finalize the personnel appointment details with the human-resources office.