Cameron Ranch Hosts Latino Family Literacy Project

An instructor read from a book in Spanish on Tuesday morning at and had her students repeat after her.

Next the teacher said phrases in English and had the students repeat those.

But the students weren't children; they were Cameron Ranch parents who are taking part in the school's Latino Family Literacy Project.

Sponsored by the San Juan Unified School District, organizers say the goals of the program are to establish and support family reading routine, improve English language skills, improve Spanish literacy skills and strengthen parent/child interaction. Cameron Ranch has also opened up the site’s computer lab two days a week to parents who are interested in learning English.

"For me, it's important to be connected with the school and with my kids at home," said Norma Lucy Rodriguez, one of the parents who attended Tuesday's session.

Martha Quadros, the district’s parent involvement coordinator, began the program Oct. 18 and the five-week curriculum will be held every Tuesday morning.

"I've had a passion working with parents to extend learning at home," Quadros said. "Bilingual kids don't always have a connection between their school and home so this is a bridge to get them feeling more confident in their abilities."

Cameron Ranch principal Theresa Altieri said school officials visited the apartments of local parents about the program and that it's open to any parent in the district.

"Our goal is to increase the awareness and participation of parents in our community, to invite them to be active participants in their child’s education and nurture relationships that value diversity as a valuable asset that strengthens and enriches our community," Altieri said.

Meanwhile, parents say if they feel more confident working with their kids in English and Spanish, everybody wins.

"Sometimes we have doubts because we don't speak English well," Karina Vega said in Spanish. "But it's important for us parents to be involved in our kids' schools."