Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Elk Grove Unified board designates Feb. 19 as annual Day of Remembrance
Loading...
Summary
The Elk Grove Unified School District board unanimously adopted Resolution No. 45 to recognize Feb. 19, 2026, as an annual Day of Remembrance, following presentations from community members and the California Museum about student programs that teach the history of Japanese American incarceration.
The Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education unanimously adopted Resolution No. 45 on Jan. 13, 2026, declaring Feb. 19 an annual Day of Remembrance to teach students about the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Community advocates and museum staff told the board the designation supports classroom instruction and community partnerships. A presenter who introduced Mariel Tsukamoto described the executive order of Feb. 19, 1942, and the forced removal of about 120,000 Japanese Americans to incarceration camps. Mariel Tsukamoto, who spoke about her family’s advocacy and the district’s long history with the program, said, "History repeats itself, and it's so unfortunate how many times it has been repeated," and urged continued education to prevent future violations of civil rights.
Sean Deliso, education director at the California Museum, said the museum’s Time of Remembrance program reached more Elk Grove students in 2025 and described a 38% increase in museum attendance; museum staff said 54 of 72 programs that year were delivered to Elk Grove Unified students. Deliso told the board the program is intended to teach constitutional rights and the fragility of civil liberties, and to motivate students to stand up for the rights of others.
Board President (role) called for a motion to adopt the resolution; the motion was moved by "Mister Yang" and seconded by "Mestar," and the board voted "Aye" with no opposition. After the vote the board president thanked presenters and noted the district will circulate a brief history compiled by Ms. Tsukamoto to board members.
The resolution is ceremonial and establishes a recurring educational observance across the district; the board did not indicate additional policy changes or funding tied to the designation at the meeting.
