Posted 4/27/2024

The School District of Palm Beach County is commemorating Haitian Heritage Month, the annual observance recognizing the valuable contributions made by Haitians to the history of the world. It is a celebration of Haitian history and culture and an opportunity to share the culture with the community.   

A variety of activities will take place throughout District schools, in addition to community events organized across the County. This year’s events include the annual Haitian Heritage Month Essay Contest for high school students, sponsored by Gaskov Clergé Foundation, Educa Vision Inc., and Triple VMC Global Services.  

The theme of the contest asks student entrants to explore this question: “Explain the major challenges that Haitian and Haitian-American students face in the American education system, and how they can overcome them.” Winners of the contest will be recognized during the Haitian Heritage Book Showcase and Essay Contest Winners Presentation at the Lantana Road Branch Library on May 11, 2024. The winners will receive their prizes and read their essays to the public during the event.

Haitian and Haitian American students represent the largest ethnic minority group from a single country in the District, made all the more special by their shared culture and Haitian Creole language. The District offers English/Haitian Creole Dual Language Programs at three schools: Rolling Green Elementary, the first of its kind in the District, which debuted in 2022. The other two programs are at Indian Pines Elementary and Lake Park Elementary.