Inclusive Storytime Program
Hello parents and caregivers! We’d like to invite you to read in your child’s classroom.
Our goal is to bring the rich diversity of our Spreckels students, families, and community into the classroom. We are looking for parents who would like to read diverse and inclusive books in the classroom, particularly highlighting books that help kids learn about underrepresented cultures or identities.
If you're interested in participating please fill out this form and we will will contact you.
We have a list of books to choose from at this link or choose one of your favorites.
If you cannot read in person or on Zoom, please consider donating a book to your teacher's classroom library or the school's library.
Email spreckelsdei@gmail.com for more information.
"I’m Anna Sun and I am a parent on the Spreckels DEI Committee. I have been able to participate in the Inclusive Storytime program to read diverse books in a couple of the classrooms at Spreckels. This year, I have read the books "The Ocean Calls: a Haenyo mermaid story" as well as "We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga" in honor of Native Heritage Month.
I am a huge believer in the importance of diverse books so it has been really fun sharing these stories with the students and learning together with them. I am looking forward to reading for Lunar New Year, a holiday our family celebrates, and I would encourage any parent willing to volunteer for Inclusive Storytime in the classroom (it only takes about 20-30 minutes!)."
From Christine Holstad, third grade teacher:
“Thank you to Anna for reading The Ocean Calls: a Haenyo Mermaid Story, to my third grade. Through the story, we were able to experience the life of a haenyeo, a female diver in the Korean province of Jeju. These older women help provide for their families and communities by diving into the waters and harvesting sea life from the ocean. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn how people in other cultures live their daily lives.”
“I’m Maria Fowlks, and I shared about Kwanzaa in Mrs. Knapp’s second-grade class. We shared the seven principles of Kwanzaa, including Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Juima (Collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (Collective economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).
I read the book Together for Kwanzaa to increase knowledge about other cultures and holiday traditions. Thanks to Mrs. Knapp for having me.”
"I’m Maggie Frank-Hsu and I read Hanukkah, A Counting Book to Mrs. Klepper and Mrs. McKenna’s TK class, which included the numbers in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. I’m looking forward to reading again in a classroom in 2023. A big thank you to the teachers for having me."