Recently, CJ’s English as a Second Language 2 students took part in a special field trip to share picture books they created with a kindergarten class at St. Helen’s. Each storybook was based on the students’ lives and cultures.
“We studied picture books, took notes, and began creating the images of their stories,” said Elise Chandler, EL teacher “A lot of work, love, and community went into this project.”
Gabriela Pickett from the Dayton Metro Library helped guide the students through the creative process. Sharing her own story of moving to the United States from Mexico, she told the students how she’d struggled to learn English and adjust to a new culture. Her encouragement motivated the students as they prepared to share their stories with the younger audience.
For Shahzad Anwari ‘26, this project was very personal. His story ‘Willow, the Little Brave Tree,’ told of a young tree afraid of growing up.
“When I was a kindergartener, I was scared of growing up,” Anwari said. “I was scared of losing my childhood comforts, like playtime and carefree days. That’s why I wrote about Willow, to teach little kids that growing up can be fun and exciting and that everything will be alright.”
Students read their stories aloud to St. Helen’s kindergarten class, who listened carefully as each story unfolded.
“They were really listening to what I was saying,” he said. “When I had to leave, they all hugged me goodbye. They were so sweet.”
Dailyn Bajaña ‘28 told a story of two roses, one kind, and the other not so much. They worked together to better understand each other.
“The kids applauded me which was so nice,” said Bajaña. “I was the only one to tell my story in two languages, both English and Spanish. I was so happy to be there with them.”
“My students really enjoyed listening to each story,” said St. Helen’s teacher Becky Hunt. “Afterward, we put them in groups and each CJ student read a Halloween story to their group. They even joined us for recess, and the kids asked me if they could come back!”
By sharing their cultures, experiences, and values, CJ’s students showed the kindergarteners that growing up may be a journey, but it’s one filled with imagination, friendship, and connection across all ages.
“I am grateful to everyone who helped with this project,” said Chandler. “It truly takes a village, and the way that CJ encourages and supports our students helps me know I am in the right place in my own calling as a teacher.”