Finding yourself in an unfamiliar country is difficult enough, and not being able to read or speak the native language can make the change greatly more difficult. Programs that teach English as a Second Language (ESL) help non-English speaking students acclimate to life in the United States more smoothly.
The ESL Newcomers program at Palmer Elementary in Newport News, Virginia, serves children coming from areas of South America, Afghanistan, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. When members of the Kiwanis Club of Peninsula at Oyster Point-which has a long-standing relationship with the school-learned about the program in 2020, they were eager to help.
To date，the club has donated (捐赠) S1, 600 to Palmer Elementary's ESL Newcomers program. The money has helped the school gain classroom resources (资源), plan virtual (虚拟的) field trips and bring guest speakers into the classroom. Money has also been used to help with the buying of winter clothing, which some children didn't have when they arrived in the United States.
"In the ESL Newcomers program, the children are taught English, math, history and even some cultural information about their new home, "explains Joseph Slabinski, club presi-dent. "The program will also help their families, as students can enter into the programs while they are at home. "
The club also helps the children with gardening. This gives students another chance to learn and practice English, make friends and feel more connected to their new home.
Over the years, the Kiwanians also have taken part in reading programs, bought dictionaries for young students and helped LeapFrog learning stations. The ESL Newcomers program is another chance for members to connect with students and improve education in a meaningful way.
"We have the ability to help these students with their learning and show them that Amer ica has people that are concerned and willing to help others in need, " says Slabinski, "We will always be there to help the children of Palmer Elementary. "
