We See Our Students, We Know Our Students, We Celebrate Our Students

A Week of Cultural Celebrations Highlights WSD's Commitment to Community, Belonging, and Dual Language Immersion

September 30, 2026

At Westminster School District, we believe every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated.

Our schools are more than places of learning. They are reflections of the diverse cultures, languages, traditions, and experiences that make up our community. Whether through classroom instruction, family engagement opportunities, or community events, Westminster School District is committed to creating spaces where students can embrace who they are while learning about the world around them.

Over the past two weeks, that commitment was on full display through a series of celebrations that highlighted the cultures, languages, and traditions that make Westminster such a vibrant community.

On September 18, DeMille Elementary School welcomed students, families, staff, and community members for its annual Mid-Autumn Festival. The event, which holds special significance for many Vietnamese families, brought the community together through traditional performances, cultural activities, and shared experiences.

As home to California's first public Vietnamese Dual Language Immersion program, Westminster School District remains committed to creating opportunities that honor and celebrate the cultures represented throughout our schools. Events like the Mid-Autumn Festival provide students with meaningful connections to their heritage while inviting the broader community to learn, participate, and celebrate alongside them.

The celebration continued the following week as Westminster School District proudly served as a Title Sponsor of the City of Westminster's annual Fall Festival, held September 24-27. Strong partnerships between schools and local government help
create meaningful opportunities for students and families while strengthening the connection between education and community life.

On September 24, WSD students took the stage during Culture Night, a special evening that highlighted Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrated the traditions, music, and cultural contributions that continue to enrich our community. Students from Westminster School District's award-winning Spanish Dual Language Immersion (SDLI) program delivered energetic performances that showcased both their talents and the cultural pride fostered through bilingual education.

The festivities continued on September 26 as students from our Vietnamese Dual Language Immersion (VDLI) program took the stage before a packed audience at the Fall Festival. Their performances honored the traditions and heritage of Westminster's vibrant Vietnamese community while demonstrating the confidence, cultural understanding, and pride that are hallmarks of our Dual Language Immersion programs.

For many audience members, these performances provided a meaningful opportunity to experience the cultural richness that exists throughout Westminster School District and the community we serve.

Together, these events showcased the impact of Westminster School District's Dual Language Immersion programs, which are among the most respected in California.

Through language learning, cultural experiences, and academic excellence, students develop the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.

Beyond becoming bilingual and biliterate, students gain a deeper understanding of their own identities while developing respect and appreciation for cultures and perspectives different from their own.

Families interested in learning more about Westminster School District's Spanish and Vietnamese Dual Language Immersion programs can visit our DLI webpage to explore opportunities available to students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

"One of our greatest strengths as a district is the diversity of our students and families," said Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D. "When students see their culture, language, and traditions celebrated both in school and throughout the community, they know they belong. That sense of belonging helps our students thrive."

These celebrations are about more than performances. They are about ensuring every student feels recognized, respected, and valued for who they are. They are opportunities for families to connect, traditions to be shared, and cultures to be
celebrated.

As Westminster School District continues to strengthen partnerships with organizations like the City of Westminster, we remain focused on creating experiences that reflect and honor the students and families we serve.

We see our students.
We know our students.
And we celebrate our students.

From DeMille Elementary's Mid-Autumn Festival to Culture Night and the Fall Festival performances that followed, Westminster School District remains committed to creating opportunities where every student feels represented, supported, and empowered to succeed.

We are grateful for our continued partnership with the City of Westminster and look forward to working together on future events that bring our community together and celebrate the cultures that make Westminster extraordinary.

To learn more about Westminster School District's Dual Language Immersion programs, visit our DLI webpage. To learn more about upcoming community events and activities, visit the City of Westminster's website.