 Holiday feast honors students and staff
Students and staff
from the English Language and Civics Education program for adult
learners joined together recently for a holiday feast featuring
a multicultural menu of traditional dishes from their varied
ethic backgrounds.
They dined on
pierogies, kapusta, coconut rice, Spanish rice, pasta dishes,
ham, turkey, chicken, eggplant parmesan, salads and deserts.
Following the meal, students played guitar, sang songs and
performed traditional dances of their homelands.
 The program
also recognized several students for their achievements in
class, including advancing from the beginning to the
intermediate level class, and from the intermediate to the
advanced level class.
The English language
and civics classes are provided through collaboration with
Skidmore College of Saratoga, Todos los Hijos de Dios (All God’s
Children), and the Amsterdam-based Lutheran Church and Trinity
Lutheran Church.
 Dr. Lenora de la Luna
of Skidmore College helps recruit learners and also creates
publicity materials, provides assessment of learners’ skills,
and leads curriculum development. Classes are taught by doctoral
candidates and graduate students from SUNY Albany and Skidmore
College. Undergraduate students from Skidmore provide one-on-one
tutoring services and assist teachers through internship
opportunities. Pastor Daniel Swanson of Todos los Hijos de Dios
recruits learners, provides counseling services and helps link
participants with community resources. Trinity Lutheran Church
rents space to the program, and volunteers from the congregation
provide refreshments during a break each session. Other
volunteers provide transportation services to a limited number
of learners.
 Classes meet Monday
and Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church
in Amsterdam. Orientation sessions for new learners will be held
Jan. 8, 10 and 17. Sessions run from 6-9
p.m.
To reserve a seat in
one of the orientation session, please call
the HFM BOCES Adult Services division at (518) 736-4340. |
