Typically, Spanish-speaking parents think their language skills prevent them from helping their children improve their English reading skills. In the San Elizario Independent School District, we ask parents to embrace their Spanish skills and use them with their children to help build the love of books, and ultimately, literacy, no matter the language.
San Elizario ISD uses bilingual books. Books that have written print in both English and Spanish on the same page, from the culturally relevant Latino Family Literacy Project framework, to teach parents the importance of establishing a family reading routine with their children. In addition, the program supports family reading, vocabulary development, and English skills to be learned together as a family.
Flor Sanchez, the San Elizario district parent liaison, reminds us that the importance of this program is that parents are involved and bond with their children as they spend time reading together. She goes on to say, "Through our literacy program, families learn about Latino social and cultural customs as they embrace English and Spanish literacy."
When parents attend this literacy institute, they learn lessons to follow with a children's book. For attending, the parent will receive the targeted book and all of the materials needed to create this wonderful learning experience with their child at home. When asked what she thought of the Parent Literacy Institute, one of the program's regular parent participants, Ruby Gordillo, stated, "The Latino Literacy program has helped me learn more vocabulary in English and Spanish, thanks to the books they provide us."
We invite parents to attend this year's Parent Literacy Institute which will take place in the central office board room from 9-11 AM on the following dates. We ask that parents attend all sessions as they are all connected.
- Friday, February 4, 2022
- Friday, February 11, 2022
- Friday, February 18, 2022
- Friday, February 25, 2022
