AAPI Heritage Month @ WNS

May 2025

With the help of the AAPI Collective, and other incredible WNS Community members, we have put together a number of events throughout the month of May designed to inspire and to bring joy.

5/1

Food & Drinks for WNS Faculty/ Staff

The WNS faculty and staff work tirelessly to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for our students. As a show of appreciation, the AAPI Family Affinity Group will be providing AAPI themed food, treats and drinks for WNS faculty and staff to enjoy on May 1. We hope the staff know how much they are appreciated!

5/7

AAPI Cooking Workshop

The WNS AAPI Family Affinity Group is proud to coordinate a virtual cooking workshop on May 7 at 6:00-7:00pm. We’ll be cooking the Indian food staples of roti flatbread and dhaal! Anyone in the WNS community is welcome to RSVP using this form by May 2 at 9am to sign up for an ingredients kit (or two!).

Zoom link below.

5/19

AAPI Virtual Panel: Forced Migration & Alien Enemies Act

Please join the upcoming virtual panel to hear about the humanitarian crises we’re currently facing related to forced migration, immigrant rights, racism, and historical context. This discussion will include a panelist who was affected by the Japanese American concentration camps, an advocate for civil rights and immigration reform, and a representative of the Tiyya Foundation.

More information below.

Events and times may be subject to change. Please keep an eye on this page for the latest information. Where necessary, information regarding accessing events – both online or on-campus – will also be communicated via email.

Event Spotlights

WNS Lobby Decorations

All Month Long

Starting on April 29, the main building lobby and parts of the ECC will have decorations from various Asian cultures to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. The AAPI Family Affinity Group hopes you enjoy the decorations that celebrate the wide tapestry of Asian cultures!

Food & Drinks for WNS Faculty & Staff

May 1st

AAPI Cooking Workshop

May 7th - 6-7pm (Zoom)

There’s a $30 fee per kit and it feeds 4 people. We are excited to be joined by Neelam Sharma, former Executive Chef at the Village Market Place (VMP), which is the social enterprise of Community Services Unlimited, a South Central Los Angeles based non-profit.

From Neelam: “Dhaal is a general term in Punjab for a soupy dish that is eaten with rice or with roti, a traditional unleavened bread. Masarooli dhaal made with orange lentils creates a light, flavorful and slightly creamy dhaal and is usually the favourite with children. It also cooks quickly and is therefore a great first dhaal to make.” Come join us for a fun evening of cooking, and eating, delicious food!

Zoom link here:

Join Zoom Meeting https://wnsk8.zoom.us/j/91449792745?pwd=Xl37eRC6uUiqQLBMdFpm4PN3GaXDNP.1 Meeting ID: 914 4979 2745 Passcode: wnsjets

AAPI Virtual Panel: Forced Migration & Alien Enemies Act

May 19th - 6-7pm (Zoom)

Please join the upcoming virtual panel on May 19 at 6-7pm (Zoom) to hear about the humanitarian crises we’re currently facing related to forced migration, immigrant rights, racism, and historical context. For instance, did you know the Alien Enemies Act was invoked by FDR during WWII to imprison over 120,000 Japanese Americans and people of Japanese ancestry? This racist law is yet again being invoked to deport people based on their race.

This discussion will include a panelist who was affected by the Japanese American concentration camps, an advocate for civil rights and immigration reform, and a representative of the Tiyya Foundation. The panel will discuss several complicated topics that are better suited for older students and adults. We hope your older children and family members can listen in and hopefully learn something new about such an important topic in today’s sociopolitical climate.

Community Gathering & ECC Sing

Thank you to those who joined in the fun and dancing at the April 11th community gathering and ECC sing to celebrate Holi and Baisakhi with our South Asian students, families and performers! We also had Polynesian dancers provide an amazing dance performance at the April 25th gathering and sing. The AAPI Family Affinity Group hopes to plan one more Asian-themed gathering and sing before the end of the school year!

Past Events

Resource Corner

2025 AAPI Resources Guide

Anti-Racist and Anti-Bias Education is a Journey, not a destination. Here are some resources we have gathered so far to help you in your travels. This is a living document that will be updated.

Please click below for a list of charities focused on combatting the rise in anti-Asian racism, hate attacks, and discrimination.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS:

Westside Neighborhood School admits students of any race, national and ethnic origin, religion, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, national and ethnic origin, religion, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.