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At Jurupa Unified School District, literacy is more than words on a page.

Literacy is one of the most important foundational skills for student success. JUSD schools are finding creative ways to promote Literacy Without Limits districtwide by building literacy skills that include the community, students, and parents. 

This month, we take a look at two unique literacy-focused programs. Rustic Lane Elementary School hosted a vocabulary parade in which students crafted creative costumes around a specific word or theme. At Ina Arbuckle Elementary School, parents are stepping back into the classroom; not to observe or volunteer, but to learn. 

Literacy on Parade

​​​Have you ever listened to the sounds of an otamatone or strolled with a velociraptor while becoming saturated in the rain? The whole thing is enough to make one baffled, but all were seen at Rustic Lane Elementary School this month.

The dictionary came to life this month as Rustic Lane held its second annual Vocabulary Parade​ on March 6. Students dressed in creative costumes as they personified a wide variety of words for the schoolwide celebration of literacy. Some classes allowed students to select their own words, while others focused on a theme. 

Parents and community members watched and craned to read words and definitions as students clad in creative, sometimes ornate, costumes wound their way across the Rustic Lane campus. 

“We think it’s really important to make reading fun for kids,” said Community Schools Teacher on Special Assignment Melissa Martinez-Lantz.

Encouraging literacy is essential because  “it’s the foundation of learning,” added Rustic Lane Principal Latressa McCullough. “You need literacy…in every academic area. In anything you do, you have to be able to read.”

Miguel and Jaqueline Garcia showed up to root for their children. Mia, a fourth-grader, dressed as a flower pot for her word, “flower.” First-grader Julian chose the word “torito,” Spanish for bull.

“We always like to be part of…whatever they want to do. We’re trying to create a happy environment at school,” Mrs. Garcia said.

The couple also reinforces literacy at home. When their children bring books home, they mirror their excitement.

“We say, ‘Whoa. You have a new book!’ We’re trying to create that energy,” Mr. Garcia said.

The family also makes time to read together.

“Parents should make time to read to their kids,” Mrs. Garcia said.  "It’s just a time well spent.”

“Even just 5-10 minutes that you can do at bedtime, getting that routine going, and reading whatever you can possibly find in the room, in that bookshelf at the house, it’s what’s going to bring us closer together as a family,” she said.

Engaging families in students’ academic journey is also important, Martinez-Lantz said.

“The students are successful here at school when we have open communication with the families, when everybody is invested in their education. When families show interest in their child's education, then the child is more successful in school.”

Mrs. McCullough agreed, saying the Vocabulary Parade was a perfect way to engage students and help them to take charge of their learning experience.

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“When you’re learning, and it’s not engaging, you don’t have that full experience,” noted Rustic Lane Principal Latressa McCullough. “When you make learning come to life, you have a Vocabulary Parade and the kids really get to really embody the words, they learn them.. they get them, and then everything they read, it opens up so many more opportunities, so many words, so many adventures –  in books  – because now they have more knowledge and more understanding.”

PS: An otamatone is an electronic synthesizer shaped like an eighth note. Velociraptors were small dinosaurs that lived in Asia about 75 million years ago. The word is capitalized when using the official scientific name, but is not capitalized in general reference.  Saturated means holding as much water or moisture as can be absorbed (soaked). Baffled means totally bewildered, perplexed. Keep reading to discover new words you can use!

Showing Up

In an Ina Arbuckle Elementary School classroom, notebooks open, parents practiced reading strategies their children use every day at school. For many, it wasn’t simply about understanding homework; it was about showing up. 

These parents are participating in the Raising a Reader workshops, designed to help parents support their children at home. 

“Just the fact that we’re present, it’s the most important thing,” said James Rodriguez, who has a transitional kindergarten student at Ina. “We’ve got to take our time to instill that backup, that foundation.”

“The goal is to empower our parents and share strategies so that at home, they know exactly what to do with their kids,” said Maritza C. Fuentes, Teacher on Special Assignment - Literacy Coach for Ina Arbuckle Elementary.  

Ms. Fuentes teaches the Raising a Reader workshop for several weeks every year on Wednesdays and changes the curriculum each year. This allows parents to have the opportunity to learn more strategies and participate multiple times.

“We see gains in the academic abilities of our students, but also the confidence that it brings.” Ms. Fuentes said. “Now they’re skilled readers, and they build this confidence.”

For Mr. Rodriguez, being an active helper in his daughter's education was personal. 

“I struggled, and I still struggle, so I’m just trying to give her the tools she needs so she can not only excel in school, but excel in the future,” said Mr. Rodriguez.

The workshops consist of phonics exercises, reading comprehension strategies, and writing skills. Providing families with easy-to-remember tools and strategies. 

“You’re giving me the tools to help me give her tools,” said Mr. Rodriguez. 

Clara Avila, a parent of a second-grader at Ina, has noticed that the workshops have helped her better support her son.

​“I have noticed his improvement in reading,” Ms. Avila said. “There are strategies that can help him get good grades and understand the material.”

The connection between home and school is what drives students to succeed. 

“I’m also excited that the kids get to see that their parents value their education,” Ms. Fuentes said. “That their parents are here because they want to see them succeed.”