Henderson school expands inclusion efforts in library with Spanish books

HENDERSON, Ky. (WFIE) - Some students in Henderson are getting more opportunities to learn and feel included.

East Heights Elementary School staff says they’ve noticed that the population of students has changed over the years.

Tara Smith, the school librarian said that more recently she’s had students that only speak Spanish come to her looking for something to read.

“We’re seeing more and more friends, kids, come in speaking only Spanish or even another language at this point, and we wanted to really reach them in a way we weren’t doing yet,” said Smith.

Smith said when she tried to pull books for those students, she quickly realized the library didn’t have enough options.

“We started to dig into what they really like and what they want and reach to get those titles instead,” said Smith.

With help from the East Heights Elementary Principal, the school was able to purchase brand new Spanish language kids books.

Now, some of those books are in the library.

“It’s important that we make each every kid, each and every teacher, each and every parent feel included,” said Smith, “When everybody comes in and they feel included we all feel a part of something.”

Angel Benitez is in 4th grade at East Heights. He speaks both English and Spanish.

He said having books in Spanish makes him feel seen, “it made me feel excited, happy because I’m used to reading in Spanish.”

He also has friends that only speak Spanish, now they can learn too.

“He doesn’t know how to read in English so he wanted books in Spanish so that made him really happy,” said Benitez.

More books are set to arrive at East Heights Elementary to help their students learn and continue to feel included.