Knollwood leading efforts to help Hispanic parents learn English

Marina Pacheco, left, listens to Yudy Zuniga teach an English as a Second Language class for adults at Knollwood Elementary School. Many are parents of children that attend the school and are wanting to improve their reading, writing and speaking skills in English. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

by Maggie Blackwell

mblackwell@salisburypost.com

"I say, 'Thank you, God,' for this opportunity."So says Mary Cabrera, one of 60 or so Hispanic parents attending English classes at Knollwood School on weekday evenings.

Knollwood Elementary School is 39 percent Hispanic, principal Shonda Hairston said. That's the largest Hispanic enrollment in the school system.

"Last year the idea for English classes originated in an effort to help our Hispanic parents," she said. "We sent a survey to parents to determine if there was an interest and received an overwhelming response.

"We often find that language is a barrier and the more we help parents, the more our students will benefit. The goal of our program is to assist parents in learning English because educating and involving parents is critical to students' academic success."

Meanwhile, Cornerstone Church had adopted Knollwood Elementary. When community pastor Evelyn McMahon called to see how the church could help, Hairston was ready.

McMahon located volunteer teachers, selected the curriculum and organized child care.

About 100 parents came out for the initial assessment in December, McMahon said. That allowed organizers to place participants in the beginner or intermediate classes . "There was such a great interest among the parents," she said.

Attendance fluctuates from week to week due to working schedules. Parents are encouraged to return when they can and not allow a missed class to interrupt their progress.

The program was initially offered for one hour on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Due to popular demand, it has been expanded to include Thursdays as well.

Child care could easily become a roadblock to attending the classes, McMahon said, so the program offers it, with students from Salisbury High School and teachers from Knollwood helping out.

Those children who attend the school have the opportunity to sharpen their reading and math skills while waiting for mom and dad.

Julio Nava, a third-grader at Knollwood, said, "This is great because they are learning English. They know a little already. One day, maybe we'll speak English at home when they finish the classes."

Julio is bilingual and often interprets for his parents.

Jareli Lopez, a 10-year-old fifth- grader, is proud of her mom's progress. "She has learned colors, sentences, and how to use commas," she said.

Jareli's mother, Marina, is grateful for the opportunity. "I have lived here in America for 10 years. I have worked in restaurants and factories with Americans, and that's how I have learned some English.

"It's very, very important to improve my English, especially to communicate with doctors for my children. I also want to help with their homework."

Emma Lopez joins Marina in the beginner class. Through an interpreter, she said, "It's really necessary to speak English. I could not take classes before because of my job. Now I can learn and improve my opportunities for work. It will also help me understand at the supermarket, and I can help my children with their studies." All three of her children are bilingual.

Mary Cabrera is a student in the intermediate class. Her husband serves as a Spanish language minister at World Hope Worship Center, and she is motivated to learn English to help at the church.

"I need to be able to talk with the children at church. English will also help me find work, and it will help me at the supermarket,"

McMahon plans for classes to reconvene in the summer following a brief break in the spring. "We've been flooded with requests, not only from parents, but also from people in the community asking, 'What can I do to help?' "

For more information, call Evelyn McMahon 704-855-1218 or Shonda Hairston at Knollwood Elementary 704- 857-3400.