HCS was happy to work with some of our community partners and the ELLA Library to provide books to students who speak mayan languages.
Noticing the large Guatemalan population in the community, The Enterprise Center, La Paz, Chattanooga 2.0, WTCI, and PBS, Hamilton County Schools worked together to provide resources for these families to books and media in mayan languages. Working with the Department of Education in Guatemala, the groups were able to provide access to books translated in each Mayan language. All of the books were able to be printed in 7 different copies, each in a different language, ensuring that all students are able to read the stories together. During the event, students were able to read, play games, and make traditional Guatemalan dolls out of yarn.
These are books that are about mayan culture and folklore, so that they are culturally relatable to the children and students to read with their families. Many members of the community volunteered their time to record audio and visuals of the books at PBS’s studio, so that students could get access to digital copies of all the materials.
October 9, also known as Indigenous Peoples Day, served as the perfect launch to start, so that all cultures were able to come together and celebrate where they come from. HCS is proud to help build connections for students and families, by making reading more accessible to members of the community and ensuring that these students have access to reading materials.