More than 10,000 students and their families attended the ninth annual La Feria Para Aprender this past weekend.
Austin ISD Superintendent Paul Cruz was one of five special guests who kicked off La Feria activities. He was joined by Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Libby Doggett, Austin City Council Member Greg Casar and ACC President Richard Rhodes.
More than 125 departments and organizations were on hand to equip Spanish-speaking parents with information to help them advocate for and support their students. This included information about the U.S. educational system, special programs offered throughout the community and a variety of support services.
The event also included special demonstrations by Google Fiber, AISD's Technology Services Department and Latinitas in the Tech Zone. Students received health and vision screenings, took part in interactive literacy events with AISD Library Services and checked out mock Pre-K and dual language classrooms. Groups in attendance distributed more than 21,000 free books.
One highlight of the event was a photo booth designed to spotlight high school completion and to encourage a college-going mindset. Students were given a mock high school diploma as a symbol of this commitment, and had their photo taken in a cap and gown.