Program Provides Help with Reading, Writing, Confidence

The New American Summer Academy, supported by Title III funding, provides an array of opportunities for immigrant students from throughout the Schenectady City School District to benefit from instruction, one-on-one tutoring, exciting projects and field trips.  According to Carol Green, site supervisor, “there are some amazing projects going on and all the students continue to make huge strides.”

Each student who attends the program is doing so on a volunteer basis.  Green said the program was first offered to new immigrant students who do not qualify for ESL services during the school year.   Any openings were then offered to whole immigrant families, those that include more than one student in the district, and finally regular ESL students of higher need. 

The students work in grade level groups on reading, writing, and an array of hands-on activities. “They work in small groups and get one-on-one help,” said Green.  Each class has a classroom teacher, a para-professional and an Americorp volunteer.  “With a 5 to 1 ratio, we can really focus on individual needs,” said Green. 

In addition to reading books every day and participating in a variety of classroom projects, the kids also venture out on class trips.  The kindergarten, first and second graders visit the library every Tuesday where they learn how to find books and check them out to take home.  Susan Cromer, kindergarten teacher, said the library staff works with the teachers to help the students get library cards and select books.  “The kids are very excited to read and learn,” said Cromer. 

Cromer’s kindergarteners have also visited McDonald’s, the Asian Food Market and the Europa Beauty School.  “It’s exciting for them to see how the businesses are run,” she added.

 “The program is great, the kids are doing great things and they are preparing for the next school year,” said Cromer who is also the ESL teacher at Paige Elementary School.  “Take a look at them,” she said as she pointed to the kids spread out across the room with buddies reading to one another.  

Last week the older students were reading to the younger ones.  Now they are switching and reading to each other.

Green and all the teachers agree that the program not only helps students with their reading and writing but is also helping them gain confidence to be successful learners in school. 

Anne Heupel’s students in grades 3 – 5 also work on fun yet strategically engaging projects.  They’ve been reading about Greek mythology, writing fairy tales and designing a book report diorama.  “We definitely see growth in each of the students,” said Heupel.  “They are having a great time learning and completing their projects,” she added.  “We do all sorts of activities, read, write, chart,” she added. “You can really see the growth by looking at their first writing samples and then looking at what they are doing now.”   

Drew Coffey’s second graders are reading and writing with descriptions.  “This is good for them because they continue to read and write over the summer,” said Coffey.    In addition to daily reading exercises, the second graders write in their journals every day.  “Each student will have a full journal by the end of the year,” said Coffey.

Green said the parents have been very cooperative.  While this is a volunteer program, the students have great attendance records and show up everyday eager to learn.  “The parents are encouraging their children and trying to get them all the help they can,” said Green.

This is the first year of the New American Summer Academy, but Green and teachers hope it will continue in the years to come.  “We really do see a difference,” said Green.

Students attending the program receive breakfast, lunch and transportation.

The summer academy runs from 9 am – 1 pm daily through August 11.   

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