South Country Central School District students honed their language and literacy skills through the District’s virtual ENL and Dual Language Summer Story Time programs, held July 6 through August 19. English Language Learners in grades K-3 and Dual Language students in grades K-4 joined the popular program through their Google Classroom accounts each Tuesday and Thursday morning for an hour of reading, writing and drawing summer fun.

Director of ELL, Bilingual and World Language Programs Monica Pullows-Tetuan explained that the program’s goal was to expose English language learners and dual language learners to summer reading to help them progress with their language and literacy skills in a fun environment. While the ENL students focused on their English skills, the Dual Language learners were exposed to both English and Spanish. Both programs incorporated a bilingual element.

“This program also affords us the opportunity to begin engaging with parents on a regular basis and build relationships,” Ms. Pullows-Tetuan said.

During a story time session, Brookhaven Elementary School ENL teacher Fredrika Council read Nancy Carson’s “Get Up and Go” and a couple of additional stories which addressed issues about being healthy. The students discussed the story in English and gave examples of ways in which they like to exercise.

“The program has been very well attended and the students seem to be very excited to engage in the program,” Ms. Pullows-Tetuan said.