“The program is very interesting for me because I am not used to reading with my kids, but I’ve become a role model for them. When they see me read, then it motivates them to read, too. ”
– Isabel Sanchez, Parent, Westwood Elementary School, Spring Branch ISD Palatine, TX
“I like reading with my parents because I get to spend time with them.”
– Student, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“I think the program has taught us to learn stronger vocabulary. For example, the kids naturally use words like ‘happy’, but then they learn new words like ‘enthusiastic’. We’ve learned a lot of new vocabulary.”
– Cynthia Calderon, Parent, Cicero SD, IL
“I love this program. I’m very grateful to Alvin ISD for this program because it’s very important for mothers to get involved in the education of their children especially with reading.”
– Norma Sevilla, Parent, Alvin ISD, TX
“I like reading with my mom because we take turns reading and it makes me feel happy, like I’m the teacher.”
– Student, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“Now that I have homework, my son tells me, ‘See, now you have homework to do with me.'”
– Parent, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“The books in the program are so nice and beautiful. They brought us back to our childhood and helped us recall memories from our childhood and it’s like I am reliving them.”
– Alejandra Hernandez, Parent, Alvin ISD, TX
“They see each picture and become interested. Once they like the pictures, they begin reading.”
– Parent, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“The books talks about Mexican celebrations. I tell my children that we will read this book because it talks about our Mexican culture.”
– Parent, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“We read in Spanish and then we go back and read in English from the same book.”
– Norma Sevilla, Parent, Alvin ISD, TX
“I like reading with my mommy because I can help her in English because she doesn’t know. Also it is in English and in Spanish and I can help her practice in Spanish.”
– Student, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“It helped so much to have the books in Spanish and English because it helped to practice more English.”
– Parent, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“I begin reading the book on my own first. Then my children gather around me and they begin reading. They read it in English and I read it in Spanish. That’s my plan.”
– Maria Gonzalez, Parent, Cicero SD, IL
“What I’ve liked the most about the class is that I learned how to read with my children, how to help them read, and how to comprehend the readings.”
– Parent, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“We spend more time together reading books. There’s more English talk at the house and, before, it was more Spanish.”
– Rogelio Diaz, Student, Alvin ISD, TX
“The class has helped me a lot to help my son.”
– Parent, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“If they take books in English, I can help them read them.”
– Student, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“What motivated me to come here was to learn to read with my children and to teach my children about the reading and the stories and the characters. My kids like the books and ask questions about the book and the story and what we are reading. This class has encouraged me to continue learning and to keep on reading.”
– Estela Perez, Parent, Westwood Elementary School, Spring Branch ISD Palatine, TX
“I like to read with my parents because if they mess up I get to help them instead of my parents helping me.”
– Student, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“When we read, we sit on my parent’s bed and read all four of us taking turns.”
– Student, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“I liked the program a lot. I learned how to read with my kids and talk about the characters, how to introduce a story and to summarize the reading. I have learned a lot. I learned English words that I didn’t know before. I don’t know a lot of English and here I have a chance to practice. My son notices the change and says, ‘Oh Mommy, you’re learning more English from your classes!'”
– Maria Garcia, Parent, Westwood Elementary School, Spring Branch ISD Palatine, TX
“At home, our whole family changed. Before starting this program, we weren’t really that interested in reading. We now read every night for about 30 minutes. This was a nice experience because it improved our reading experience at home 100 percent.”
– Parent, CCSD15 Palatine, IL
“The parents left the program understanding how important it was to interact with their children during reading.”
– Michaele Morales, Program Teacher
“Parents developed a reading routine with their children on a regular basis.”
– Rosa Penaloza, Program Teacher
“Parents enjoyed the books, the discussions and getting to know the other parents. They said it strengthened their bond with their children and also with the school.”
– Susan Harden, Program Teacher
“The parents from the first session are highly recommending the program to other parents.”
– Michaele Morales, Program Teacher
“Parents and children developed a love for reading. The mothers also involved the fathers at home! Reading built a stronger bond within the family!”
– Drucilla Ramirez, Program Teacher
“Parents were active participants during the session. They were always eager to read and share experiences.”
– Eloisa Acevedo, Program Teacher
“Many [parents] commented that they now know to do more than just read the story then close the book.”
– Angelina Santos, Program Teacher
“This is an excellent opportunity. Being here not only taught us to read to our children but it brought me close to my kids.”
– Parent, Bayonne Board of Education, Bayonne, NJ
“This program has helped me understand that there should always be a special time to dedicate to my children.”
– Parent, San Jose, CA
“One parent said she was delighted that she was able to help her child learn more Spanish as she read to him, and that she learned more English as she went back and read the English text. Several parents wrote in their evaluations that they enjoyed working on the albums. The books for the program were well chosen so they made the parents want to purchase or borrow those titles and new ones as well!”
– Ida Delgadillo, Bilingual Teacher, Kerr County, TX
-Latino Literacy Program Testimonial Video
“We learn and participate together as a family – our memory album at Brooks School.”
– Parent, Windsor USD, Brooks Elementary School, CA
“I learned to spend more time with my son and to establish a reading routine. The program helped because my son is reading a little bit better, and now that we have a routine with books, he is bringing home more books to read together every night.”
– Araceli Muñoz, Parent, Alvin ISD, TX
“I like the books because I can learn more English and write better.”
– Student, Windsor USD, Brooks Elementary School, CA
“This program provides opportunities for learning for everyone: the parents, children, as a family, and society in general. I see the importance of the relationship with our children and books, and between parents and children and the books. English is very important. For our kids, it opens doors so that they don’t have to be embarrassed and they can practice with us and it helps us not to be embarrassed to speak more English with our children.”
– Cynthia Calderon, Parent, Cicero SD, IL
“To learn how to read a book is tomorrow’s future. It’s very important to learn to read at home with our kids.”
– Norma Sevilla, Parent, Alvin ISD, TX
“This program was very interesting to me. First off, the title of the program, Family Stories, it involves the reading and the family, something that is going to help us.”
– Cynthia Calderon, Parent, Cicero SD, IL
“First of all, I show the book to my children and tell them, ‘Look, this is the book I got this week.’ Then we start to look through it.”
– Parent, Windsor USD, Brooks Elementary School, CA
“By the time I finish the book, the three of them are sitting by my side focused on the story. After we finish reading, they ask me, ‘Mom, what about your hometown? Did something similar happen there?’ Then memories come back.”
– Parent, Windsor USD, Brooks Elementary School, CA
“I begin reading the book on my own first. Then my children gather around me and they begin reading. They read it in English and I read it in Spanish. That’s my plan.”
– Parent, Windsor USD, Brooks Elementary School, CA
“We come here to learn something the we don’t habitually do with our children. We connect with other parents, and we get to know each other better. It’s fun and entertaining, and it’s a learning experience.”
– Parent, Windsor USD, Brooks Elementary School, CA
“When my mom came home, she said she liked the class. She was happy.”
– Student, Windsor USD, Brooks Elementary School, CA
“It’s important to have patience to teach my kids how to read a book. To read a book is more than saying ‘Go ahead and pick a book,’ but the truth is I didn’t really know how to start reading a book. My children now have more confidence to read a book.”
– Rafaela Vallecillo, Parent, Alvin ISD, TX
“I never thought my children were going to be like teachers to me.”
– Parent, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor USD, CA
“Now that they have taught us a little English, I feel like I have to reach out and learn more. “
– Parent, Windsor USD, Brooks Elementary School, CA
“I like the books a lot, some were fiction and others nonfiction. Now she reads more with us, she doesn’t want to miss out on getting another book to read with us.”
– Carmen Alba, Student, Alvin ISD, TX
“The class has motivated me to read with my kid. I used to just listen to them reading, I never used to hold the book, but now I try to help him by showing him that I’m going to read with him so that he is more motivated.”
– Consuelo Martinez, Parent, Spring Branch ISD, Westwood Elementary School, TX
“I like the books that they bring because they’re Spanish and English.”
– Student, Windsor USD, Brooks Elementary School, CA
“I liked the program a lot because they teach us step-by-step what we need to do and how we need to support our kids, and I liked it because it’s very dynamic and a pleasant surprise. Ms. O’Herra made the program wonderful and informative.”
– Carmen Jimenez, Parent, Socorro ISD, TX
“Parents loved the stories and the different vocabulary words they had not used before.”
– Sara Tovar, Program Teacher
“I witnessed parents engaged in the program. They had fun while learning and creating their family album. The parents connected on home and cultural topics. They appreciated the books and were thankful to the school for providing this program.”
– Jessica Albornoz, Program Teacher
“My child is more excited to read books and have conversations about how they relate to our family.”
– Elizabeth Lopez, Program Teacher
“Parents like the program and they said it is a great success that their children have opportunities they did not have in their time.”
– Martha Luevano, Program Teacher
“One parent told me that she didn’t want it to end. This was the only time she had for herself. She made new friends. Now the kids ask for books, not toys when going to the store. Even her husband is reading to the kids now. The participants at first did not want to try to speak English because they were embarrassed. Now, by the end of the program, all 12 Moms take turns reading the stories in English.”
-Maria A. Magill, Program Director, Children’s and Family Services, Riverside County, CA
“I discovered so much about my daughter. I was surprised at some of her answers. We read and discussed the book and learned about each other. We had the opportunity to learn more about our traditions and culture.”
-Parent, CCSD15, Palatine, IL
“The family literacy sessions helped me to become more involved in my children’s school work. We read to each other for 30 minutes a day. We even signed up for library cards so that we can check out books on the weekends.”
-Parent, Fort Bend, Houston, TX
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