School assists Hispanic students

A new scholarship program for Hispanic students at St. James Institute in Albany assists families whose yearly income places them below the poverty line.

The scholarships "offer a Catholic education to those who would otherwise be unable to afford it," said Brother Jason Lody, OFM, Conv., principal.

Administrators at the school noticed that immigrant families in the neighborhood were often unemployed and lacked affordable housing, said Brother Lody, adding that some children were "forced to live with other families in a one-room efficiency apartment -- right down the block from our school.

"No student should be excluded from the benefit of a Catholic education, especially because of finances. It's important as Catholic educators to reach out and provide services to this community who are, in many ways, overlooked because of their inability to communicate."

Newcomers

Referred to St. James by Hispanic Outreach Services of the Albany Diocese and sponsored by the Conventual Franciscan Friars, 35 Spanish-speaking students now attend St. James on scholarship. They are integrated into classes with their English-speaking peers and attend in-class English as a Second Language (ESL) sessions taught by volunteer tutors.

Instituting the program meant challenges for the school. Because St. James did not have an ESL program, new methods had to be developed to serve the Spanish-speaking students.

"We're trying to help these kids as much as possible, using ESL strategies to get them up to speed," said Irene Harbison, a retired ESL teacher who is currently serving as a language tutor at the school.

The scholarship students are team-taught by both a regular classroom teacher and a Spanish tutor. Ms. Harbison said that the students are expected to work as hard as their English-speaking peers.

Tutors

The individual attention the Hispanic children get from tutors helps them feel included.

"They're working on the very same thing their classmates are, but they don't feel embarrassed," Ms. Harbison noted. Private tutoring in English "works better for the students because they're willing to practice reading when they're not going to make a mistake in front of their classmates."

A cohort of volunteers, who include retired and current ESL teachers, members of St. James parish, and Spanish students from The College of Saint Rose, serve as the ESL faculty. Next year, Brother Lody hope that they will serve parents as well, holding ESL lessons and computer training for immigrant parents.

Funding sought

The school is searching for local businesses and community organizations to contribute to the scholarship fund, which cannot continue without outside help.

Despite the difficulties, Ms. Harbison remains enthusiastic about the venture. "This has been a huge learning experience for St. James, and a huge leap of faith and justice," she said. "Those of us who are volunteering are trying to get over the biggest hurdles. I hope that, as time goes on, St. James will be able to establish a regular ESL program."

Brother Lody remains committed to the effort, saying: "If no one comes forward [to contribute to the scholarship fund], we'll have to look at alternatives. But no one will be denied a Catholic education. We will find the money."

(For information, call St. James School, 465-1973.)

(01-23-03) [[In-content Ad]]