Distance Education Connecting Online Students through Family Academic Experiences DE Latino Book Fair 2024
The Distance Education department at Riverside Community College District (RCCD) hosted the Latino Book Fair on Saturday, October 19th, 2024. The event took place at Riverside City campus at the cafeteria from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. This was the second Book Fair hosted by Distance Education, following the Black Child Book Fair that took place in February of this year.
Students brought their families and connected with the extended RCCD community. They spoke to authors, performers, artists, artisans, community leadership groups, and district student services groups.
Children sat on stage during several book readings and got involved with the stories. Authors who attended were Carmen Melendez-Gutierrez, José Chávez, James Luna, Isabel Quintero, Yesenia Rodriguez, Matt Sedillo.
They also got involved with a coloring table and browsed the mobile book store provided by Scholastic. Display cases were filled with books that delighted families from toddlers to teens. The exhibit held everything from picture books to science books with educational toys fastened to their covers to graphic novels. The book selections included both English and Spanish language options.
Entertainers, including Baile Folklórico dancers, at the Latino Book Fair in the RCC Cafeteria.
Baile Folklorico (Ballet Folklorico) and Cocecha Church members performed a variety of traditional dances. The women were dressed in colorful, flowing dresses with wide skirts, known as "bailarinas," often adorned with embroidery and ruffles. The men wore "charro" outfits, which include fitted trousers, a button-up shirt, and a wide-brimmed sombrero.
Around a dozen local artists and artisans like Amparo Chi and Folklor Accessories hosted handicrafts booths where they offered hand made goods connected to Hispanic heritage.
Attendees took a flavorful break and enjoyed a free lunch catered by Taquiza Caleb. On the menu were tacos, mulitas, and quesadillas with Al Pastor, chicken, chorizo, and grilled veggies. On the side, the offerings were rice, beans, a full salsa bar with red and green salsas, guacamole, tortilla chips, cucumbers, radishes, limes, a variety of chilis as well as two agua frescas.
Local leaders and organizations also hosted booths. Representatives included Riverside Public Library, RUSD Family Resource Center, CM School Supply, Cosecha Church, the Center for Social Justice, Karla Kandles, Towngate Family Dental, RCC Student Parent Club, RCC Welcome Center, and RCCD Online Student Volunteers. Distance Education Staff and Family also attended to help host or organize the event.
Students at a table, enjoying activities at the Latino Book Fair.
All 110 attendees received raffle tickets, which were drawn several times throughout the day. Prizes, including books, Folklorico head wear, decorative handicrafts, and an electric tooth brush, were donated by authors, local organizations, artisans, and vendors.
The Distance Education department hopes to continue hosting events that gives online students connections to the district so they feel involved and appreciated. Other initiatives include Farmers’ Markets where online students can receive free produce, free makeovers from RCC’s cosmetology department, and free teeth cleanings from MVC’s dental hygiene clinic. We hope to pilot more initiatives that benefit online students and the whole RCCD community.
