Yésica Gómez-Álvarez with the UHD Bilingual ELibrary Project works with a Caraway Elementary attending a session.

Aldine ISD’s Caraway Elementary School has joined the University of Houston-Downtown’s (UHD) Bilingual E-Library Project for the 2025–2026 school year, expanding opportunities for students and families to engage in bilingual literacy and cultural storytelling.

The Bilingual E-Library Project, a partnership between UHD and local schools, is designed to unlock literacy skills and promote bilingualism through a free collection of e-books created in collaboration with UHD students, children, and families. The digital library features stories that reflect the community’s voices and traditions, helping students strengthen their reading skills while fostering a love of language and culture.

Aída Ulloa, UHD Bilingual ELibrary Project technology manager, talks to parents about artificial intelligence.

At Caraway Elementary, principal Constance White helped bring the initiative to the campus after leading its successful implementation at Hill Elementary School. Araceli García, the campus RTI (response to intervention) teacher and FACE liaison, serves as the project’s lead this year.

As the district looked to realign and allocate resources and support to campuses before the start of the 2025–2026 school year, district leaders identified several campuses as Opportunity Schools, including Caraway Elementary. The realignment allows district and campus leaders to provide additional support to accelerate outcomes and remove barriers and obstacles more quickly and effectively.

“As the campus lead for the UHD Bilingual E-Library Project, my role is to assist and support the UHD representative in introducing the program to our students and families,” García said. “I help facilitate communication between the UHD team and our campus, promote the program within our school community, and encourage participation by sharing information with staff and families. This program is open to both English- and Spanish-speaking parents, ensuring that all families can benefit from the resources and opportunities it provides.”

The UHD Bilingual ELibrary supports children’s education and growth, strengthen cultural connections, and improve parents’ literacy. The UHD Bilingual ELibrary Project helps children develop confidence, adaptability, and crucial skills while parents to engage with their children’s learning in their native language.

The initiative aligns closely with Aldine ISD’s five-year strategic plan, Accelerate. The plan emphasizes literacy, access, and empowerment as key drivers of student success. By engaging families and encouraging bilingual storytelling, the partnership supports the district’s commitment to ensuring all students have access to rich, diverse learning experiences.

This fall, Caraway Elementary, which incorporates the AISD’s Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) model, began hosting bilingual classes open to both English- and Spanish-speaking parents. The program, which runs from September 22 through December 4, 2025, helps students improve academic performance while empowering families with valuable technology and literacy skills.

The in-person sessions offer families a range of interactive learning opportunities, including AI Technology Skills classes on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and a Reading & E-Games Bilingual Club on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Participants also take part in a Reading Bilingual Stories Workshop focused on building vocabulary and spelling. Families who attend at least 90% of the sessions will be eligible to receive a free Chromebook, providing continued access to digital learning tools at home.

“Being part of this project means so much for the Caraway community,” García said. “It brings families, students, and our school together with a shared goal of supporting literacy and learning beyond the classroom. The UHD E-Library is helping us build stronger connections, celebrate our community, and create a welcoming space where every family feels included.”

Other Aldine ISD schools participating in the UHD Bilingual E-Library Project include Black Elementary, Bussey Elementary, Ogden Elementary, Marcella Elementary, and Griggs EC/PK-K School.

LaTashia Abrams, executive director of the district’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department, praised the ongoing partnership for its impact across Aldine ISD.

“The Bilingual E-Library Project not only helps students build strong literacy foundations,” Abrams said. “It also celebrates the cultures and languages represented in our community — which is what makes Aldine ISD such a special place to learn and grow.”

The UHD Bilingual E-Library serves as a bridge between schools, families, and higher education. Through initiatives like this, Aldine ISD and its partners are showing what’s possible when communities come together to empower students and ignite a lifelong love for reading.

White encourages families to explore the bilingual e-library and learn more about the project at www.bilingualelibrary.org (Click here for the English version).