The Catskill Chronicle

FALLSBURG, NY (February 9, 2014) – Fallsburg Jr/Sr High School is partnering with the Town of Fallsburg and the Mid-Hudson Migrant Education Tutorial & Support Services Program (Migrant Ed) to assist migrant families in developing their skills as English language learners.

The Twenty-First Century Grant received by Fallsburg Central School District will help pay for personnel and supplies.

To kick-off this effort, Fallsburg Central School District (FCSD) Interim Athletic Director Harold Fried met with the School Social Workers and Migrant Ed educators to organize an informal meeting of parents and students on January 25 at the South Fallsburg Senior and Youth Center offered by the Town as part of their participation. The topic was “How Fallsburg Jr/Sr High School and Migrant Ed Program Can Help Parents and Children Be Successful.”

Mary Sherman, Adolescent Outreach Specialist with Migrant Ed, led the day’s activities, assisted by Migrant Ed specialist Martha Gonzalez, and Migrant Education tutors Jose Ponce, Dana Diaz and Diana Barjoveanu, FHS English as Second Language teacher Jesus Galvan. Pathy Leiva, Recruiter of College Assistance Migrant Program at SUNY Oneonta. Harold Fried attended and welcomed everyone on behalf of the FCSD. Larry Schafman, part-time community relations person with FCSD was on hand to document the day’s event.

People introduced themselves in groups of two, four, and then eight and found out things they had in common.

In working throughout the afternoon, leaders helped the adults and students in separate rooms focus on what were their goals or pictures for the students for the year, for the next five years, and the next ten years. After lunch, the two large groups came together and discussed their findings. Goals were very similar – there was a stress on education, on doing well in high school, moving on to college, aspiring to become professionals in the society, and making contributions to their communities.

As stated by Martha Gonzalez, this is the first step in an on-going process for this group of students and parents. In the next several weeks, they will learn how to help their children attain and nurture these qualities.

All parents involved in the Fallsburg Migrant Ed Program are welcome to participate in this group. Please contact Martha Gonzalez at 845-257-2950 or 845-701-2831 for more information.