In June 2004, the Teton Literacy Program, in conjunction with the Teton County Youth Project, began offering family literacy services to Latino families with students enrolled in Teton County School District #1, grades K-5. This project, called La Puerta Abierta, or The Open Door, is supported by the Wyoming Department of Education, and 21st Century Community Learning Center grant funds for its first five years.

Through a community assessment, project developers identified the following critical elements to improving students’ academic success:

1. Involving parents in their children’s education;
2. Emphasizing the importance of existing skills of parents and students;
3. Ensuring connection to and availability of services for each family.

To meet these needs, La Puerta Abierta has three program components:

• The Parent Program helps parents become more invested in positive academic outcomes by increasing their English skills and understanding of how to navigate school culture.
• Amistades offers literacy based instruction for K-5 students during parent workshops. Throughout the school year, students participate in special projects, cultural programs, and tutoring as needed.
• The Gateway Program refers families to the most appropriate available service to meet their needs and fosters family participation in community events.

Additionally, La Puerta Abierta partners with other community agencies to provide special workshops for all Spanish speaking parents of local K-5 students in local schools. In the past, these workshops have included a Parent-Teacher Conference Orientation, to explain report cards, discuss school expectations of parents, and provide some basic English phrases; and several Math Nights for families to learn about their children’s math curriculum and participate in math games which they took home to play with their children again and again. We invite you to read more about La Puerta Abierta in it’s pilot year of programming – celebrate our successes with us!

For more information, please contact Gina Valencia, La Puerta Abierta Project Coordinator, 307.733-9242. Email Gina at:
gina@tetonliteracy.org.