An array of steamy, mouthwatering dishes is placed on the table as joyous chatter fills the room, ranging from lighthearted banter to serious debate. In many Asian American Pacific Islander communities, cooking allows individuals to connect with their loved ones. In South Asian cultures, food is integrated...

On Sept. 29, 2022, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2596 into law, recognizing Lunar New Year as an official state holiday. Although students and teachers in Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) have not been affected by the bill, its passage—and its juxtaposition with several...