The Clintonville Public School District’s English language/bilingual program is partnering with the Trucking to Success after school program to offer free English classes to Spanish-speaking families in the community.
The classes are being held at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Bear Creek on Thursday evenings. The use of the facility is being donated by St. Rose/St. Mary’s Parish.
Jolyne Zaldivar, the district’s Spanish interpreter and bilingual paraprofessional, teaches the English classes. Participants in the Family Literacy Program are learning conversational English to help them communicate in places such as the grocery store, bank, doctor’s office, and at work. The main goal of this program is to help enhance their English language skills to give them more opportunities for themselves and their families, and to help them become active participants in the community.
Along with learning English, another important goal of the program is to educate the Hispanic community about the importance of helping their children become successful in school.
School officials are encouraging parents to get involved in their children’s education, and they receive suggestions on how to help their children at home, in order to succeed academically in school. Even if they are not able to read or write in English, it is still important that they read to their children in Spanish to promote essential literacy skills.
In addition to the English classes for adults, free childcare for the families is also available. As an extension of the After School program, school-aged children have the opportunity to get assistance with homework, as well as participate in some educational and enrichment activities. The kids’ activities are planned by Kristin Brock, the district’s English language coordinator, and Caitlin Werder, ELL teacher at Longfellow Elementary School.
Classes began in early February and are expected to run until mid-April. The Family Literacy program is fortunate enough to be entirely funded through grant money.