In celebration of Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, our school community of students, teachers, staff, friends and family gathered at the Harvard Street Campus for the school’s first-ever Family Day on Saturday, September 22, 2018.
Laughter and gaiety were the overall mood of the celebration. The event provided the perfect opportunity for families to relax and socialize as everyone enjoyed live entertainment with music and dance, exciting lawn games, and fun activities for children like balloon animals and lei making. “It was great to see children of students and teachers talking, playing with each other and dancing as if they met before,” said Naima, a Computer Literacy student.
From story time to folkloric dances from countries like El Salvador, Honduras and Bolivia and from Portales/Gateway Exhibit tours and hula dancing, the day was packed with activities.
On the stage in the middle of the event many performers entertained the crowd. Dressed as the Cat in the Hat, the Harvard Street Campus’s Librarian Steven Frets and the Director of the GED in Spanish program Sandra Gonzalez, dressed as Ms. Frizzle, captivated the young members of the audience during the bilingual story time. Zumba, a fun aerobic workout using dance moves, was performed on the stage while dancers grooved along out front following the fancy footwork of the Carlos Rosario School student instructor. Poet and Carlos Rosario School staff member Tatiana Ramirez shared some of her original work, and other staff members and students led the crowd in song and dance performances.
Attendees could purchase delicious meals from a student-owned food truck or from the small business graduates. Local artisans also from the small business program were also selling their good and products.
Local community-based organizations such as Empoderte, LEDC, and the League of Women Voters shared information about resources available in the community. Also civic engagement activities, which allowed people to learn more about their council members and the Carlos Rosario School citizenship class, were featured.
“It was very festive, educational and fun. It was a very successful Family Day where we were able to meet our goals of celebrating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week with our students and their families, and building community with our students, faculty, staff and the greater Washington community,” Elani Lawrence, the ESL for Families and Parent Engagement Manager and Family Day’s organizer said.
Check out photos of Family Day on Flickr.