Salem Schools Offer Free Adult English Progam For Parents, Caregivers

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools are offering free adult English classes to members of the community through a state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant.

This week's class drew 16 participants on Monday night at Bates School with Director of Multilingual Learner Education Andre Fonsecua hoping to increase attendance for the twice-weekly class that runs through June 4.

"We want to leave it open to those who could benefit," he said. "Any family in the district who wants to learn English is welcome."

State funding covers the costs of hiring instructors. Superintendent Stephen Zrike applied for the grant at the suggestion of parent/caregiver leaders in Latinos for Education, with which SPS works closely.

English is taught by Victoria Shams of the Latino Leadership Coalition and former principal at the Nathaniel Bowditch School; Susi Hammond, former family engagement facilitator at SPS, both of whom are fluent in Spanish; and Megan Martins, a multilingual learner educator at Bates Elementary who is fluent in Portuguese.

The ESL classes are expected to be offered next fall and spring at SPS contingent on the receipt of the grant.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)