Supporting Early Literacy
Reading well by third grade is crucial for children’s success in school and beyond. Unfortunately, only about 31% of third graders from low-income families in CA are reading at grade level. To turn this around, FIS, in collaboration with LAUSD, has rolled out a series of listening and learning sessions about early literacy development for parents and caregivers.
Together, we are committed to supporting our children’s literacy and future.
Starting in April 2024 in elementary schools where the need is greatest, these sessions are helping families understand how children learn to read and the support they need at home and in school to thrive. We believe that, in order to solve this literacy crisis that has impacted students and families for over a decade, we must do it in partnership with parents, caregivers, and families.
By engaging in our early literacy community sessions, families…
- Gain a deeper understanding of the literacy crisis and the critical importance of early literacy skills.
- Discover how children learn to read and what is needed to make sure all children can read at their grade level.
- Learn and practice strategies to support structured literacy.
- Learn how to support their child’s reading journey and ask critical questions of their child’s teacher and principal.
Families also receive an abundance of literacy resources, including:
- a handout on the six key pillars of early literacy in English and in Spanish
- videos describing how the brain learns to read in English and in Spanish
- a handout about how the brain learns to read in English and in Spanish
- a handout of questions parents should ask in English and Spanish
Sign up for our email list to receive future news about our literacy sessions!
of LAUSD third graders are reading at or above their grade level. To learn more, check out our literacy report:
All sessions are led by Dr. Rebecca Palacios.
Dr. Rebecca Palacios is a national leader in family engagement and early literacy. She is the author of several books, including Being Your Child’s Most Important Teacher: A Guide for Families with Young Children and her Ana book series for children, and was a preschool teacher for over 30 years in Texas, the first Latina inducted into the Teachers Hall of Fame, and the recipient of the James A. Kelly Award for Advancing Accomplished Teaching. As a bilingual educator, Dr. Palacios is a respected leader in education and an advocate for children and families.
PAST LITERACY SESSIONS
Our early literacy sessions took place from April to June of 2024 across Los Angeles County, including in South LA, the San Fernando Valley, East LA, Northeast LA, and Southeast LA. All attendees received literacy resources and refreshments, along with free books at the end of the workshop, and were entered into a drawing to win a new iPad.
First Session: 109th Street Elementary School on April 10, 2024
Our first session took place at 109th Street Elementary in Watts and gathered together families from 109th Street Elementary, Aububon Middle School, Knox Elementary, Gulf Avenue Elementary, and more.
Second Session: Limerick Elementary School on April 23, 2024
Our second session took place at Limerick Elementary in the San Fernando Valley and gathered together families from Limerick Elementary, Nevada Avenue Elementary, Winnetka Avenue Elementary, Napa Street Elementary, Canoga Park Middle School, and more.
Third Session: Murchison Street Elementary School on May 1, 2024
Our third session took place at Murchison Street Elementary in East LA and gathered together families from Murchison Street Elementary, San Pascual STEAM Magnet Elementary, Glen Alta Elementary, and more.
Fourth Session: Woodcrest Elementary School on May 2, 2024
Our fourth session took place at Woodcrest Elementary in Watts and gathered together over 100 families from Woodcrest Elementary, Figueroa Street Elementary, Chapman Elementary, La Salle Avenue Elementary, West Athens Elementary, and more in a hybrid capacity.
Fifth Session: Aragon Ave Elementary School on May 8, 2024
Our fifth session took place at Aragon Avenue Elementary in Cypress Park and gathered together families from Aragon Avenue Elementary, Allesandro Elementary, and Mayberry Street Elementary.
Sixth Session: Vaughn G3 on May 23, 2024
Our sixth session took place at Vaughn G3 in Pacoima and gathered together families from Vaughn G3, Vaughn M.I.T., Vaughn Pandaland, Fenton Primary Center, and others.
Seventh Session: New Heights Charter School & Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on May 24, 2024
Our seventh session took place at New Heights Charter School & Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in South LA and gathered together many families from New Heights Charter School.
Eighth Session: Sepulveda Middle School on June 3, 2024
Our eighth session took place at Sepulveda Middle School in North Hills and gathered together families from Sepulveda Middle School, Cohasset Street Elementary School, Lassen Elementary School, Carlos Santana Arts Academy, Plummer Elementary School, and many others in a hybrid capacity.
Ninth Session: 54th Street Elementary School on June 4, 2024
Our ninth session took place at 54th Street Elementary School in View Park-Windsor Hills and gathered together several families from 54th Street Elementary School and others in a hybrid capacity.
Tenth Session: Orchard Academies 2B on June 12, 2024
Our tenth session took place at Orchard Academies 2B in Southeast LA and gathered together families from Orchard Academies 2B, Orchard Academies 2C, Dr. Sammy Lee Medical and Health Science Magnet Elementary School, Sunrise Elementary School, City Terrace Elementary School, Teresa Hughes Elementary School, and others in a hybrid capacity.