The high school is now providing free English as a second language (ESL) classes for adults on Tuesday nights from six to eight.

Although teachers attempted to run the class in the past few years, the class was unsuccessful because parents who wanted to attend could not find babysitters; however, thanks to student volunteers who babysit, the class has been a success for four weeks.

“The students [who volunteer for the childcare] are the most important part. If we did not have them, and I’m being totally honest, we couldn’t do it,” Sharon Brown, ESL teacher for the adult English classes and ESL teacher at Middle School North, said. “We couldn’t do it because no one would come because they would have to find sitters.”

With the help of Interact and National Honor Society (NHS), these classes were able to reopen and Brown is beyond grateful to have found child care. Katie Guy, senior NHS volunteer, says she felt this appreciate when volunteering her first time she watched the children.

“[Brown] is super welcoming and super nice. I showed up that first night and she [said] ‘oh my gosh. Thank Goodness you guys are here. You guys are amazing. This is the greatest thing ever.’ She’s super grateful for just me and Grace Kinsey to go there, and I think if more people just randomly showed up then they would take the help,” Guy said. “Those people wouldn’t be turned away.”

In addition, Guy is also grateful to have volunteered her time for a cause she feels is fun and worthwhile.  

“I participated because I love kids and these kids are really special. Even if they don’t understand in what you’re saying, they still want to talk to you and hang out with you and they’re super down to earth,” Guy said. “There’s a lot of little kids, and you hang out in the math room next door to the room where the parents learn to speak English. You just babysit, play games, and color. It’s low-key and fun.”

Shocked to receive this help from students to make the classes a success, Brown says so far they have been lucky with childcare, but volunteers are always welcome.

“Everybody brings their children, so we always do need volunteers,” Brown said. “It’s really going very well. It’s a very nice atmosphere. The parents are enjoying it, and we do it where the rooms are right next to each other (C111 and C112). The parents are really learning a lot, and then we have the kids right next door.”

As the parents learn, Brown says she and Carol Suppes, ESL teacher for the adult English classes and ESL teacher at Spencer Loomis, are also learning the level of their speakers with both Hispanic and Polish backgrounds.

“We didn’t know what level our speakers would be at first, so the first two classes were kind of getting to know them, so very conversational English and just getting to know what levels they are at. But, by last Tuesday, we kind of started breaking into groups,” Brown said. “Carol and I do the planning together, so already last week we are anticipating bringing in different, higher-level materials.”

With bringing in higher-level materials, Brown says that the teacher in her wants to incorporate grammar as well.

“What they’re looking for is conversational English, but I do feel, with the teacher in me, I have to do some grammar and writing. The group we have [though] is mainly looking for conversational. There’s pretty decent materials out there for teaching adults English. ”

Though Brown and Suppes are teaching the class, they are not completely fluent in Spanish nor Polish. However, these classes allow the two to now act as “liaisons” and now have a good way to connect with the parents of their students; thus, accomplishing a goal they have had for a while.