Who/ Where: Illustrator Chalome Gonzalez:
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, 9 a.m.
Birney Elementary School’s Cafeteria – 3034 E. Cornell Ave. (93703)
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, 1:30 p.m.
Calwa Elementary School’s Cafeteria – 4304 E. Jensen Ave. (93725)
Author Julissa Arce:
Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, 10:30 a.m.
Roosevelt High School’s Auditorium, 4250 E. Tulare St. (93702)
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), the district will host a local book illustrator and a national best-selling author at three of its schools.
Chalome Gonzalez will read “The Elote Man Goes to College” to students at Birney and Calwa elementary schools. The book was written by her sister, Maia Gonzalez, with illustrations by Chalome Gonzalez and Roald Tenorio. “The Elote Man Goes to College” tells the story of hardworking street vendors. Chalome is also the owner of Miicamisa, a screen-printing company inspired by her Mexican culture and love for folklorico dance. Free copies of the book will be given to all third-grade students at Birney and Calwa elementary schools.
Julissa Arce will deliver a keynote speech during an assembly at Roosevelt High. She is the author of a best-selling memoir, “My (Underground) American Dream,” and was named one of People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Women of 2017 and 2022. She is a leading voice in the fight for social justice, immigrant rights and education equality. Her book is being developed as a television series with producer and actor America Ferrera. Free copies of the book will be given to all seniors at Roosevelt High.
“When our students are exposed to positive and successful role models who look like them and speak like them, the impact is profound,” said Superintendent Bob Nelson. “As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we are pleased to welcome these two talented women to our campuses and expand our students’ real-world learning experiences.”