As the bell rings and most students head home, a dedicated group of 53 Port Chester Middle School students gather in their classrooms to continue their studies. They are part of an after-school English Language Learners newcomer program, which has been meeting three times a week since January. Spearheaded by Assistant Principal Kristin Pascuzzi and multilingual learner coordinator Peter Bermudez, the program is tailored to provide crucial support to students who are new to this country and in the process of learning English.

“It’s an opportunity for some of these new students to meet friends and to socialize, and practice their English in a fun and exciting way that supports them academically, socially and emotionally,” Pascuzzi said. “They come to us sometimes with very different educational experiences prior to coming to the Unites States, and they enter a middle school at this level with limited knowledge of the English language and limited experience in terms of an American school. They’re not used to going to six different classes in a day and having different teachers.”

Pascuzzi emphasized that all students enrolled in the program are native Spanish speakers who are eager to grasp English in a nurturing setting provided by Port Chester Middle School. What sets this program apart from others, which primarily focus on reading and writing, is its comprehensive approach to providing support in core subjects such as math, science, ELA and social studies.

Throughout the program, the students engaged in activities aimed at expanding their vocabulary, mastering basic conversational phrases, and honing their reading and writing skills. Pascuzzi commended the dedicated teachers involved in the program, attributing much of its success to their commitment. The teachers, who are well-versed in the core subject curriculum, not only offer additional academic support but also cultivate meaningful connections with the sixth through eighth grade students.

“It’s a nice message for the students to walk away with – they see that teachers care, they’re learning English in such a fun way where they don’t fear, they’re comfortable to take risks and explore the language, and they are not embarrassed,” Pascuzzi said. “They’re looking for a sense of belonging, and a program like this gives them another piece of that, and it extends the day for them.”

Bermudez expressed gratitude for the teachers’ efforts in nurturing students as they navigate the complexities of learning English and equipping them with the necessary tools for success. He expressed aspirations to expand the program’s reach, aiming to double the number of participants by the following year.

In addition to Bermudez, the teachers who have been instrumental in the program’s success are Shaileen Bello, Austin Boehm, Esteban Guijarro, Angie Leon, Juanita Mitchell, Tanya Pizzano, Anne Prime, Jacqueline Sagastume and Christine Telesco.

“We are so fortunate to have so many dedicated teachers,” she said. “They have been incredible.”

Date Added: 3/22/2024