What was once a language barrier between parents and their children’s education is now disappearing, thanks to a new English as a Second Language (ESL) program funded by Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi.
On Saturday, January 23, Hevesi and parents enrolled in the ESL program at P.S. 144 in Forest Hills attended a breakfast field trip to Shalimar Diner to celebrate their ongoing course of study of conversational English. For some, this was an opportunity to order their meal in English for the first time.
The program began almost two years ago when Siobhan Kyne, parent coordinator at P.S. 144, approached Hevesi and brought forth the idea for a program that would eliminate the problem of parents’ inabilities to communicate effectively with the school.
Kyne described the opportunity to run this program as “one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, other than being a mother.”
The ESL program is free for parents and caregivers of students enrolled in P.S. 144 that runs from September through April and provides the enrollees an opportunity to learn conversational English to help them better communicate with their child’s school.
“The parents want to do more with the school now,” said Kyne. “I give them homework to do and they bring it back saying their kids helped them, which is nice. It gets everyone involved.”
As part of the learning experience, the enrollees have the opportunity to attend field trips into the city. “We do this to help them learn better English,” said Kyne, adding, “but also to show them there are cheap and educational things to do with their kids.”
Presently, 17 parents, grandparents, and caregivers are enrolled in the Saturday morning ESL class.
“There are several children attending a local school who will have their parents participate in their education when it was not possible before. The parents and administrators at P.S.144 are to be commended for this incredible program,” said Hevesi.
