FWPS Celebrates National Arab American Heritage Month

April marks Arab American Heritage Month, a time for our district and schools to celebrate the rich heritage and culture of Arab Americans and honor their significant contributions to society.

According to the Arab American Institute, approximately 3.7 million Americans have Arab ancestry, with roots tracing back to 22 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Morocco, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and more.

These diverse cultures are an integral part of what makes our district one of the most diverse in the state — a strength we proudly embrace, incorporating it into the fabric of our schools and the education of our students.

Throughout April we look forward to sharing how our schools are celebrating Arab American Heritage with assemblies, art projects, musical performances and more. We want to share these experiences with the entire district, so be sure to email photos to socialmedia@fwps.org.

View additional recognitions in the FWPS Cultural & Religious Calendar here: www.fwps.org/culturalcalendar

A Delicious Lesson: Enterprise Scholars Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with a Hand-On Hummus Lesson

In celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month, Mr. Jones’s 5th grade class at Enterprise Elementary explored Arab culture through traditional cuisine. With the guidance of paraeducator Tammy Basmeh the class learned how to make hummus. Rather than simply listing the ingredients—blended chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, salt, and spices—Ms. Basmeh enriched the lesson by explaining the Arabic pronunciation of "hummus" and sharing how it’s commonly eaten for breakfast throughout Arab cultures.

Ms. Basmeh reflected on the experience, saying, “It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect and learn from each other. Hummus is a cultural dish, and I’m teaching them about its origins, how it began, and how it is traditionally enjoyed.”

The students were fully engaged, helping in the process of mixing and blending the ingredients, and sharing the hummus and chips with the entire class. Students served them in a bowl, bringing them to each student at the tables. Enough was made for everybody who wanted to try it, as well as anyone lucky enough to visit the classroom during the activity.

Mr. Jones expressed his excitement about the activity: “I love bringing my students’ cultures into the classroom and incorporating them into our lessons. We used math to measure the recipe, we explored the cultural background and history of the dish, and most importantly, gave students the chance to share their heritage and take pride in their traditions.”

Celebrating National Arab American Heritage Month is a meaningful time throughout Federal Way Public School—one that reflects the district’s commitment to honoring diversity and embracing the rich cultural backgrounds of our students. It is a point of pride for the entire school community to create spaces where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to share their stories and heritage.

Celebrating Culture Through the Arts: Honoring Arab American Heritage in FWPS

Throughout April, Federal Way Public Schools celebrated National Arab American Heritage Month with vibrant performances and hands-on learning experiences that honored Arab American contributions to the arts. Across our schools, students explored Arab American culture through music, visual art, and storytelling—bringing new perspectives and creativity into the classroom.

At Green Gables Elementary, art students explored pointillism through the lens of contemporary Arabic art, gaining a new appreciation for how individual dots can come together to create a larger, beautiful whole. “It takes so long!” one student noted—but their patience and enthusiasm paid off as colors blended into intricate landscapes.

At Valhalla Elementary, students experienced a cultural first: a live performance by Egyptian American artist Asmaa. Her music brought students to their feet with smiles, rhythm, and applause echoing throughout the assembly. Asmaa reflected, “It was my first time singing for a non-Arabic speaking crowd. I loved it, and I was so excited to support our community!”

Green Gable students also became artists themselves, creating forest scenes using cotton swabs and paint—each dot reinforcing the idea that every effort counts toward something meaningful.

At Federal Way Public Academy, scholars engaged with a highlight display featuring Arab American performers and visual artists, discovering new role models and inspirations within their school halls.

These experiences not only enrich learning—they help our scholars see themselves and others reflected in the world around them. By celebrating culture through the arts, FWPS is creating moments of joy, connection, and discovery across our schools. We’re proud of our students and staff at Green Gables, Valhalla, and FWPA for helping bring these powerful lessons to life.