Summer program keeps Latino kids learning


Teachers from Mexico share their culture, crafts during Plan Vacacional

At Nokomis Elementary School Wednesday, more than 100 kids were happily spending a sunny summer afternoon inside a classroom.

"They want to come to school," Robin Leler said of the students, who are all taking part in Nuestra Casa's Plan Vacacional, which translates to "vacation plan." Of course, much of the classroom time for the program's 120 students is spent on arts and crafts, as the children are taught skills such as knitting scarves and making piñatas, but coordinator Carmen Matus said the fun activities carry cultural significance.

"The objective is to reinforce their culture, language and identity as Latinos," Matus said, explaining that when the Plan Vacacional students learn about Mexican history, artists and tradition, they can understand more about their parents and share a deeper bond. "Their self-esteem grows (after the classes)," said Matus, who also teaches at Ukiah High School. She said she has been involved in Plan Vacacional for 10 years, but this is her first year coordinating the program.

She said the five-week program is funded nearly entirely by the U.S. Dept. of Education's Migrant Education Program, but businesses such as Wells Fargo also donated money. This year, the money paid for six teachers to come from Mexico and live in Ukiah, as well as classroom supplies, food and classroom aides. READ FULL STORY
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