Stepping onto foreign soil where the language, culture, and norms are much different from what you are accustomed to can be daunting. For students, navigating those changes can feel even more overwhelming when combined with the challenges of growing up, building new friendships, and finding their place.
Durham Public Schools created the summer Newcomer Academy in 2013 to help students who are experiencing their first year in U.S. schools navigate those changes more easily.
The program is facilitated by DPS teachers and features culturally and academically enlightening events and activities about Durham and the United States. There is a focus on experiential and project-based learning for grade-level language and content in the core courses of English and Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math.
“DPS students speak more than 100 languages, and we are very proud to serve students and families from all over the world,” said Sashi Rayasam, Director of English for Speakers of Other Languages Programs.
Newcomer Academy is open to third through ninth graders who are in their first year in U.S. schools. The academy is grounded in research-backed practices for language learning in social and academic settings, helping to build a bridge between the many cultures that create the diverse fabric of Durham Public Schools.
Courses are taught by a mix of ESL and content teachers. The content teachers have typically participated in Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) and ESL Certification courses. Newcomer Academy not only prepares them for teaching during the school year but serves as a practicum during the summer.
LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY
In addition to the courses that students take, they also attend field trips throughout the community to enhance their learning and to get to know the area better.
“This year, our high school students visited the [North Carolina] Museum of Natural Sciences, and the elementary and middle school students visited the Hub Farm,” Rayasam said.
Students have also participated in cooking activities with DINE – Durham’s Innovative Nutrition Education – a nutrition program offered by Durham County. Through interactive activities, students learn about healthy nutrition and making good food choices.
MAKING AN IMPACT
The Newcomer Academy is about more than teaching students how to navigate a new community. Rayasam said that the newcomers’ program is a highlight of students’ and teachers’ lives.
“It certainly gives me joy at a personal and professional level [to be] able to open doors of extended learning to around 150 students every year,” she said. “We have had the program at Lakewood Montessori in the past. This year, Brogden hosted our program.”
She notes that the program’s success is due to a team of colleagues, including the school nutrition professionals who are sensitive to the dietary needs of our students, the transportation team who understand the courage it takes for students new to a language and culture to come to school eager to learn, and the committed teachers who bring their best selves every day and give up some of their vacation to enrich students’ lives.
LEARN MORE
Families who wish to apply for the Newcomer Academy for their students may contact Rayasam at sashi_rayasam@dpsnc.net.
For more stories like this one, read the latest issue of the SPARK Insider magazine.