New Jersey school infuses AAPI history in its curriculum
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (PIX11) -- Less than a year ago, Alex Bermillo moved to Jersey City from the Philippines.
As a student at Joseph H. Brensinger Public School No. 17, she not only learned English but for the first time, learned about a wide array of cultures.
"I was really surprised because I got to know all of this stuff and to make my knowledge wider," said Bermillo, who is an 8th grader.
During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, her classmates get to learn about her heritage and understanding more about AAPI history now that it is part of the curriculum across the Garden State.
"There are almost 50 different countries," said 3rd grader Masten Boumeou. "For example, China, Japan and India."
"The first Japanese immigrant came to the United States on May 7, 1843," said 3rd grader Hamsa Albrolosy.
"It would help us better understand the culture and their ways of living, most likely techniques in agriculture," said 8th grader Noah Wilkin.
For the past two years, the school, led by its principal, Dr. Robert Brower, has tried to infuse AAPI history into everyday lessons when appropriate. "The implementation of AAPI, its perspectives, into the school, is imperative," said Brower.
"The big thing we focus on in ELA is to have literature from Asian American or Pacific Islander authors, or stories with characters from the AAPI community," said John Emolo, a curriculum supervisor for Jersey City Public Schools. "When we adopt resources for social studies classes, we make sure they have primary sources from an Asian American perspective or, we're seeing authentic contributions of those communities to the United States."
"Every piece of curriculum that we have the district has been very strategic in making sure that every child is represented," said Brower.