The Consul General of Portugal in Boston Joao Pedro Fins do Lago made a generous donation of Portuguese language resources to the Olá program at the King Open elementary school -- including 122 textbooks and a collection of children’s books -- to encourage the reading of Portuguese-speaking authors. The donation was made with the support of Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language, I.P. and Camões Education Office in the US (CEPE-EUA).
The Olá program is a two-way Portuguese–English bilingual immersion program at the King Open elementary school, one of several language programs in CPS’s elementary programs.
City and school leaders attended the donation ceremony on April 16, while teachers and students joined via Zoom from their classrooms and homes. Students unmuted themselves to cheer “Obrigado pelos livros,” or “Thank you for the books.”
"We are grateful for this donation of books and expanding the library of literature for our children," said Schools Supt. Kenneth Salim. "In Cambridge, we are working hard to develop curriculum and instruction that reflects the identities of our students and provides windows into other cultures. These books will help us to move towards this vision."
“We appreciate the sheer volume of books and how they will be instrumental in our learning,” said King Open Principal Darrell Williams.
Learn more about the Olá program >>
Caption 1:
Superintendent Salim, Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, School Committee member Fred Fantini, Consul Joao Pedro Fins do Lago, Coordinator for the Portuguese Language and Education Affairs Joao Caixinha and King Open Principal Darrell Williams
Caption 2:
King Open Principal Darrell Williams speaks at a ceremony celebrating a donation of 122 textbooks and a collection of children’s books in Portuguese from the Consul General of Portugal in Boston Joao Pedro Fins do Lago.
Caption 3: The Consul General of Portugal in Boston Joao Pedro Fins do Lago donated 122 textbooks and a collection of children’s books in Portuguese to the Olá program at Cambridge's King Open elementary school.