Thanks to a partnership with the Madison Area Literacy Council, MMSD is able to offer once again the "English in the Schools" program at Lincoln Elementary. Lincoln parents had the opportunity to sign up for this six-week course designed to help them improve their English speaking, reading and writing skills and to gain confidence to help their children succeed in school. Childcare is offered during the evening classes, so parents can focus on their coursework knowing their children are being entertained nearby.

The response has been great! We have 40 parents from Lincoln and Midvale enrolled in the course, 60 kids in childcare from ages 2-12, and 16 college volunteers from UW Madison and Edgewood College.

Parents are divided into two levels of English proficiency, beginner and intermediate, depending on answers given on a questionnaire. The Madison Area Literacy Council provides the curriculum and instruction. Parents who successfully complete the course will be treated to a graduation dinner.

The children are divided into groups based on their age and level of English proficiency and then matched to a college student volunteer who helps them with their homework and prepares other age-appropriate games and activities that will help them improve their English skills. Volunteers received a two-hour training session on working with English language learners from Amy Niesen, ESL teacher at Lincoln. The child care team plans to have a different theme every night, like Día de Los Muertos, World Culture Day, Food Night, and Sports Day to make working on vocabulary fun.

Plans are already being made to expand this program to Falk Elementary in the spring. Here are a few quotes from participants in the program:

"I come to the English class to learn to be able to help my children with their homework and to be able to speak and write English. Even though it is difficult, I put aside all my fears to be able to learn."
--Hortensia Ascencio

"The program is very good because it helps the parents to understand a little of what our children are learning, and to understand them a little to be able to help them with their homework. Also to be able to ask how our children are doing in school."
--Esmeralda Garduno

"I have come to this class since the beginning. I need to learn how to speak, read and write the language of this country for my own personal growth and to achieve my dreams."
--Claudia Castillo

"I am very happy they gave the opportunity to us parents to participate. I only wish the program was longer. Thank you to the people who make this program."
--Lidia Sanchez