Santa Maria High School’s Chicano/Latino studies class took a trip to David Sanchez Elementary School for a book-sharing session on the morning of Sept. 18.
More than 20 students read children’s books written by or about Latinos to elementary school youngsters in order to share culture and promote literacy for Latino Heritage Month.
In a press release, Santa Maria High history teacher Ricardo Valencia said the outreach allows students to share the rich legacy of Latino history, encourages them to be proud of their heritage, and promotes higher education.
“Everyone benefits from reading multicultural text,” Valencia said in the release. “Students who see themselves and can relate to what they read and learn about are often more engaged academically.”
Valencia graduated from Santa Maria High in 2001, and also read to younger Santa Maria area students as part of the month-long heritage celebration. In the release, Valencia said it was important for him to be able to keep that experience alive by continuing the reading tradition.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. It began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded in 1988.
This article appears in Sep 26 – Oct 3, 2013.