A new Greenwood school program is helping students from other countries feel less isolated when they start school for the first time.
Southwest Elementary School started the Newcomer Program this school year, which helps non-English speaking students in third through fifth grade transition into school better.
Instead of being spread across the Greenwood school district like before, all newcomers are placed together in Southwest Elementary, said Jill Hamilton, the English Language Learner coordinator.
“Typically Greenwood schools will have newcomers, two to three a year, but in different buildings,” Hamilton said. “It’s been a bit isolating in the past.”
Even if a student lives closer to another school, they will still be transported to Southwest Elementary with busing paid for through a state grant, Hamilton said. Four students are currently in the program, and three are transported from other areas in the district, she said.
Each day, students spend time with Hamilton working on vocabulary, writing, phonics, reading comprehension and sometimes math, Hamilton said.
Most of their day, however, is spent in their general education classrooms with all the other students, which is important to their growth, Hamilton said.
“If they were only in the newcomer class the whole time, then we wouldn’t see that English growth we’re hoping to see,” she said.
Even in the weeks since school began, second grade teacher Ronda Cooper has seen significant growth just by being around other English speaking peers.
“When my student came to my room, he didn’t speak much except he knew a few phrases,” Cooper said. “Now he’s raising his hand for questions.”
“The other kids are so excited when he gets something. They just cheer and it’s so neat to see.”
The new structure of the Newcomer Program is helping build students’ confidence, Hamilton said.
“I feel like they do have more confidence and feel more willing to engage in their classrooms because they know they’re not the only student on the planet that’s having this experience,” Hamilton said.
