Thanks to a grant from the Westerville Education Foundation, English Language Learning (ELL) students and parents are better prepared to face the start of school in Westerville. Dr. Jan Fedorenko, principal at Hanby Magnet School, along with Hanby teacher Lori Searfoss, obtained the funding to host a series of summer enrichment workshops called “Teaching the English Language through the Arts.”
The two-hour sessions are taking place at several different schools throughout the district to introduce English learning parents and their children to the structure and environment of a typical school day, through art activities. Parents and youngsters work together to create a book about school, using illustrations and written language. They also review together behavioral expectations and school routines. In addition, participants are being exposed to artworks about American life and cultural traditions.
The goal is for participants to enhance their understanding and comfort level about the way school works in Westerville.