{"id":78538,"date":"2025-08-18T11:13:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T11:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/78538\/"},"modified":"2025-08-18T11:13:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T11:13:08","slug":"staten-island-high-school-hosts-multilingual-book-fair-showcasing-student-authors-in-class-column","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/78538\/","title":{"rendered":"Staten Island high school hosts multilingual book fair showcasing student authors | In Class column"},"content":{"rendered":"

IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities.<\/p>\n

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 A Staten Island high school hosted a fair in May that highlighted a diverse collection of student-published books.<\/p>\n

Susan E. Wagner High School hosted the Multilingual Project Based Learning Book Fair in its student cafeteria on May 21 \u2014 a capstone event marking a collaboration among the World Languages, ENL (English as a New Language) Stand Alone, Integrated ENL and ELA (English Language Arts), and Visual Arts departments.<\/p>\n

\"WagnerPrincipal David Cugini speaks with students about their books.(Courtesy of Susan E. Wagner High School)<\/p>\n

The innovative book fair showcased a diverse collection of student-published books, created through interdisciplinary workshops, where students worked collaboratively as authors and illustrators to produce original literary works. <\/p>\n

The fair highlighted the school\u2019s dedication to project-based learning and cultural inclusivity.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s part of the Project Based Learning with Multilingual Learners in Mind initiative that has flourished at the Sea View high school, under the leadership of Principal David Cugini and his commitment to rigorous, relevant learning.<\/p>\n

The event also celebrated the leadership of Maria Oliveira-Freidland, senior director of the Office of Multilingual Learners, and Gennady Ladnik, Multilingual\/English Language Learners services administrator for Staten Island\u2019s District 31, which encompasses all general education public schools in the borough.<\/p>\n

Oliveira-Freidland and Ladnik\u2019s support through professional learning opportunities and interschool visits with Morris Intermediate School (I.S. 61) in Brighton Heights, Ralph R. McKee CTE High School in St. George, and Susan E. Wagner High School, fostered collaboration and growth across the schools. The initiative was led by Dr. Aziz Elabida, assistant principal of World Languages and ENL.<\/p>\n

\"WagnerStudents are shown here posing for a photo with Staten Island schools superintendent Dr. Roderick Palton.(Courtesy of Susan E. Wagner High School)<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the heart work, and you can see the love and care students and teachers brought to this,\u201d said Dr. Roderick Palton, superintendent of District 31.<\/p>\n

Throughout the event, students presented their books at interactive stations, engaging with teachers, administrators, families, and peers. Attendees also had the opportunity to read the books and speak directly with student authors and illustrators about their creative process \u2014 from concept to publication.<\/p>\n

The fair expanded upon the success of last year\u2019s Spanish Book Fair.<\/p>\n

Spanish teacher Amparo Caruso and visual arts teacher Stephanie Helgeson led the creation of 14 bilingual books, with art students contributing cover designs and full-page illustrations.<\/p>\n

\"WagnerStudents illustrators worked with student authors to make book covers.(Courtesy of Susan E. Wagner High School)<\/p>\n

ENL\/ELA educators Victoria Manzo and Jessica Guerrero collaborated with Helgeson\u2019s senior portfolio students during a writer\u2019s workshop to illustrate scenes from student-written short stories \u2014 culminating in a published anthology, titled \u201cPalettes & Pages.\u201d <\/p>\n

ENL educator and language access coordinator Madeline Lombardi guided students in writing and publishing personal immigration stories in both their home language and English, while peer collaborative teacher Michael Young played a role in organizing the project.<\/p>\n

\"WagnerThe fair highlighted the school\u2019s dedication to project-based learning and cultural inclusivity.(Courtesy of Susan E. Wagner High School)Send us your stories<\/p>\n

Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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