May 2026 Read Across SMSD- Honor Heritage

About Read Across SMSD

Read Across SMSD is modeled after the National Read Across America program and is led in partnership with NEA-Shawnee Mission and the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation. Access to books for Shawnee Mission students is made possible through the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation.

Theme: Honor Heritage

Schools across the Shawnee Mission School District often take time throughout the year to help students and staff gain a deeper understanding of each other by celebrating cultural roots. That's what the Shawnee Mission School District celebrates this May during Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as our community focuses on the theme "Honor Heritage."

Featured Book

May's featured book is Tricky Chopsticks by Sylvia Chen. This story is about a Chinese American girl who is trying to learn an important family tradition. She wants to learn how to use chopsticks because it helps her feel connected to her cultural roots. In this story, we see how she uses problem-solving and grit to face this challenge.

Student Traditions

Dr. Brittany Gonser, director of professional learning, recently visited students at Highlands Elementary School, who shared ways they honor their heritage.

• Nora (Taiwanese heritage): Enjoys the red envelope tradition during New Year's celebrations. "I'm always so excited to see if I get more money every New Years celebration! It's also a lot of fun because we are spending time with family and friends."
• Yuki (Japanese heritage): Enjoys playing with tops and folding origami. "I like to make my own creations. I really enjoy the way it feels to fold the paper. One of the best things about origami is you can play with what you made or use it as a decoration."
• Kazuha (Japanese heritage): Demonstrated a kendama toy. "It can be really hard to learn and confusing at first, but when you learn how to do it, it is a lot of fun! I have one hanging on the wall of my house and it's fun when my family plays. My dad, who taught me, is the best!"
• Rose (Vietnamese and German heritage): Spoke about pho, made by her Vietnamese grandmother. "When I eat it, it always brings me comfort and reminds me of my grandma who is Vietnamese, too. Usually she will make it a few times a year. She also encouraged me to learn how to use chopsticks, just like the character in the book!"

Staff Tradition

Dr. Gonser highlighted one of her favorite family traditions is a fish fry, held during the Winter Solstice. "It gets us thinking about warm summer days and fishing in Northern Minnesota. When we host our event in the winter, it's an amazing time with family and friends and is a reminder that the joy we have spending time together happens even on the coldest of days."

NEA Book List

• Elementary: Tricky Chopsticks by Sylvia Chen
• Middle: Don't Cause Trouble by Arree Chung
• Young Adult: Midnights with You by Clare Osongco