Carl Sandburg Middle School
On May 9, 2024, Carl Sandburg Middle School celebrated the conclusion of its Multilingual Family Transliteracies Project. Orchestrated by Janira Collado Toro, this program aimed to bridge the cultural and linguistic gaps within the school community by leveraging the rich, diverse backgrounds of the students and their families.
The project, which began on October 24, 2023, invited families to the school every Tuesday to write and share their life stories, fostering a deep connection between multilingual families and the school community. Janira Collado Toro, the ESOL teacher and the leader of this project, led and facilitated these dynamic sessions, providing resources and extensive support to help families articulate their narratives effectively. Over several months, families gathered to craft their stories, integrating their native languages and cultural experiences. The final product was a collection of personalized storybooks. Each family’s story was meticulously compiled into a hardcover book, with scanned pictures and drawings that families brought in, reflecting their personal touches.
“Mrs. Collado, this project helped me connect with my son. This is very necessary, especially at this age where students need more than ever to spend time with their families, writing our stories.”
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Collado, for taking the time to meet with us every Tuesday to write our stories. I would like to invite grandma so she can see the wonderful story that we wrote.”
The effort culminated on May 9, 2024, when families were invited back to the school to receive their books. This special event was attended by key figures including the ESOL director of Fairfax Schools – Rich Pollio, Chair of Schools, Family Literacy Engagement staff, family liaisons, Carl Sandburg principal – Eric Underhill, and Dr. Sujin Kim, the researcher from whom the project originated. The families’ feedback highlighted the personal impact of the project. They expressed pride in sharing their multicultural experiences and the unique aspects of their heritage, such as recognizing the Huichol people, an indigenous group from Mexico and the United States, and explaining the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo. Participants also shared touching personal stories, like family trips to Mexico for medical treatment, which turned into enriching family bonding experiences.
