Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / May 30, 1991, edition 1 / Page 17
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under the sun THE BRUNSWKttfeftACON D THURSDAY. MAY 30. 1991 | ) Waccamaw School Staff Meeting Hispanic Students Ha If -Way BY SUSAN USHER It was show-ofF time in Bee FitzGcrald Caldicolt's conversational Spanish class at Waccamaw School. Not intentionally; it just happened that way. First came a team from the Brunswick County Board of Education central office, followed by first a newswom an, then two administrators from Brunswick Com munity College. All happened to pick the same day to visit this special class, breaking what their text refers to as the "white heat of concentration" on the day's lesson. "First your bosses, then my bosses. I know just how you feel," Mrs. Caldicott, an instructor with BCC, emphatically told the class at Waccamaw School. The remark drew a round of ap preciative laughter, defus ing the pressure and relax ing students and teacher. That kind of triple ex posure would be enough to unnerve any group of stu dents, but this class had held its own, reviewing with varying degrees of skill similar material for each new arrival: the Spanish words for the days of the week and simple phrases to describe the col ors of their clothing, their addresses and telephone numbers. They're also learning words and phrases needed in emergency situa tions. "They can recognize simple sentences," said Mrs. Caldicott. "Their com prehension is good and they have a terrific vocabulary. It's exciting; they are to the point of doing it on their own." Just a few weeks lat er they got to do just th?.t, as Mrs. Caldicott invited Spanish classes at the school in cooperation with BCC. Along with the classes, the grant provides money for books and for school-parent interaction. In small classes, teachers and teacher assistants re versed roles, becoming students, along with bus drivers, custodians and office employees. At first, tired after a full day's work and not know ing what was in store for them, many were less than en thusiastic at the prospect of taking 1 'A hours a week for mmmm speak English," she said. 'They've been willing to meet them halfway." And they have. Gail Thomas, who admits she doesn't practice at home the way she should, says she has learned a lot and that it has helped her in dealing with a Spanish-speaking student in her class. In seeking the grant, Ms. Simmons' was responding to the growing influx of Spanish-speaking people into Brunswick County ? from Grisscttown to Ash to Lcland. Most arc migrant workers; only a few families STAFF PHOTO BY SUSAN USHER PRACTICING verb exercises with instructor Bee FitzGerald Caldicott ( standing ) are (from left) teahcers Sally McMillan, Diane Uttle, Ellen Milligan and Jill Hughes ofWaccamaw School and Michelle Milligan of Union Primary School. Spanish-speaking guests to speak to and with the class. The class has every right to be proud of its achieve ments. Waccamaw School went the extra step this year, not waiting for its increasing number of Spanish-speaking students ? and their parents ? to learn English. "The first thing we have to do is to be able to com municate with these students," said Sybil Simmons, as sistant principal. With that in mind, she got a S7.500 Parent Involvement grant from the state Department of Public Instruction and set up free conversational 17 weeks 10 learn the fundamentals of carrying on a conversation in Spanish. And they didn't like the idea of memorizing grammatical rules. "But they had to have it if they were to going to learn to speak Spanish quickly," said Mrs. Caldicott. Dipping into a bag of teaching tricks that include the wit of a stand-up comic, she established a friendly setting and set a fast pace, winning her adult students over. "I applaud the whole group for reaching out rather than simply saying Spanish people should learn to are remaining in the area year-round. At various times this year about 50 Spanish-speaking students were en rolled in Brunswick County Schools. In late April, Waccamaw School, with an enrollment of 450 students in grades K-8, had six Spanish-speaking students. At one point the county school system had virtually eliminated its migrant education program, but this year changing conditions prompted the hiring of two assis tants to work with Spanish-speaking students county wide. At Lincoln Primary School, which has also seen an influx of Spanish-speaking students, some staff mem bers took a fall class on teaching English as a Second Language in a one-on-one setting. Are such efforts by the schools paying off? Mrs. Caldicott and Mrs. Simmons have no doubts about whether the classes at Waccamaw School have been a success ? in ways both expected and unexpected. Ann Bcsscnt, Waccamaw School guidance coun selor, plans to vacation in a Spanish-speaking country. Jill Hughes, who teach es seventh and eighth grade math, has tried ? with in creasing success ? listening to a Spanish-language ra dio station. And, said Mrs. Mitch ell, the effort has brought school employees together in a new way, helping to generate interest within the school and the surrounding community in communi cating with Spanish-speak ing residents of the com munity. In fact, Mrs. Simmons said the school plans to of fer a advanced class next year, purchasing books from this year's grant. Enrollces, will have to pay their own registration fee. The truest test comes, however, with their young charges. They may laugh or shake their heads when a staff member mispronounc es a Spanish word or uses the wrong tense. "But," said Mrs. Caldicott, "the students really appreciate their teachers making this effort." Ruben Gonsalcs is a good example. A student in Michelle Milligan's class at Union Primary School, Gonsales has been learning English with the help of a teacher's assistant while his teacher has been learning to speak Spanish. Knowing her willingness to learn and keeping a nodding watch on her progress, Ruben is using his new English skills to help broaden Mrs. Milligan's Spanish vocabulary. He brings lists of Spanish words and their English equivalents ? names of animals, foods and other basic terms ? that he wants her to lcam. THE CAPE FJ7AT? SHALLOTTE HIGHWAY 179 VILLAGE PINES OFFICE PARK 17/"^ rr\ SUITE 4 ? 754-8848 JrULfl CENTER Professional, Thorough and Gentle Foot Care ?Heel Pain / Heel Spur 'Running / Sports Injuries / Broken Bones ?Bunions, Corns, Calluses 'Diabetic Foot Care / Nail Care ?Warts, Ingrown Nails ?Alternatives to Surgery ?In-Office Surgery ? Insurance Forms Filed For You ? Most Insurances Accepted ? Blue Cross Costwise Provider 'Medicare Assignment Accepted Dr. Gregory Young, DPM By Appointment Only 754-8848 Medical & Surgical Specialist of the Foot and Ankle C1 990 THE BRUNSWICK BEACON Celebrating 25 years of service Southeastern Community College hosts THE NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY in a free pops concert JUNE 9 7 p.m. Bowers Cultural Arts Center Whiteville High School Sponsored by United Carolina Bank and a major grant from the R.C. Sadler Foundation SCC ALUMNI... We have a limited number of reserved seats for alumni! Please return this form to: SCC 25th Anniversary, P.O. Box 151 .Whiteville, NC 28472, or call 642-7141 , ext. 260. NAME NO. OF SEATS ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP Come see Havoline's 70-foot hot air balloon! The Havoline team and the hot air balloon will be at our Shallotte store... Friday, May 31 & Saturday June 1 BQQBH OPEN 8 AM-10 PM CHECKS WELCOME MAIN STREET ? SHALLOTTE
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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May 30, 1991, edition 1
17
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