ABE/ESL Newsletter Issue 047
08/14/2024
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Success is part of our circle, like our circle of life! We begin with baby steps (our first ESL class or entry level GED® class) before we begin to run. We have challenges (setbacks) that help us to grow. Life happens and we stumble, but we get up and continue to move forward. We achieve our first success as part of our cycle of growth. The circle is continuous. The challenges are continuous. The success is continuous. We are not finished with our first success. It is not time to stop. It is time to grow.
What is your career choice, your job options, your new training journey along your circle of life? Is it time to contact your Student Support Team to assist you along this circle of life to reach your next success? Call on them!
STUDENT NAVIGATORS
Maria Delgado Myers, Talbot
mdelgadomyers@chesapeake.edu
Laura Perez, Dorchester
lperez@chesapeake.edu
Jocelyn Portillo, Dorchester & Online
jportillo@chesapeake.edu
Ana Gilbert, Caroline & Queen Anne's
agilbert@chesapeake.edu
Leosthene Sarilus, Caroline
lsarilus@chesapeake.edu
Janet Young, Talbot & Online
jyoung@chesapeake.edu
Nancy Calix Velasquez, Talbot & Online
ncalix-velasquez@chesapeake.edu
Gina Morris, Kent & Queen Anne's
gmorris@chesapeake.edu
ADULT EDUCATION TEAM
Brenda Horrocks, Director
bhorrocks@chesapeake.edu
Rosa Pino-Cruz, Management Information Systems Coordinator
rcruz@chesapeake.edu
Denise Kline, Instructional Coordinator
dkline@chesapeake.edu
Janet Hilty, Transition Specialist
jhilty@chesapeake.edu
Katie Blanchard, ESL Intake and Assessment Coordinator
kblanchard@chesapeake.edu
Susan Shoemaker, ABE/GED® Instructional Specialist
sshoemaker@chesapeake.edu
Beth Moyer, ABE/GED® Intake and Assessment Specialist
bmoyer@chesapeake.edu
Sergio Cilla, Lead Intake Specialist
scilla@chesapeake.edu
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We are registering for Fall classes now and until the end of August! Call the numbers below or email to make an appointment to register for the following locations: Easton, Cambridge, Federalsburg, Greensboro, Sudlersville, Wye Mills or Chestertown.
ESL interpreters are available to assist you.
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Learn how easy it is to register, attend classes, and more! | |
New Information &
Program Sessions | |
NEW INFORMATION SESSIONS
Before registration, all students must attend an information session. Student expectations will also be discussed and they will receive information about our programs, learn about our attendance policy, and schedule their testing session.
Information sessions will be provided online and at the following locations: Wye Mills, Greensboro, Sudlersville, Easton, Cambridge, and Federalsburg.
During the information session, students will make an appointment to fill out the registration form and to be tested.
NEW PROGRAM SESSIONS
Starting in Fall 2024, the Fall session will begin at the end of September and close in mid-February. The Spring session will begin in mid-February and close in mid-June. Our Summer session will remain an eleven-week session.
The new program session changes are effective beginning September 23rd, 2024.
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Fall Calendar
Fall Session
September 30 - February 14
No classes
Thanksgiving: 11/25/24-11/29/24 Winter Break: 12/20/24-1/3/25 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: 01/20/25
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The Adult Education Department of Chesapeake College participates in a variety of community events that take place in the five counties that Chesapeake College serves. At these events Chesapeake College distributes information about the free programs offered to the community.
We participated in the Dorchester County Public Schools Family Night at Maple Elementary School in Cambridge. In the Kent County Multicultural Health Screening and Resource Fair at Shrewsbury Parish in Kennedyville, we distributed information about the ESL and GED® programs; and in Talbot County at the Spring Family Night, organized by the Judy Center at Easton Elementary School.
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Students across various ESL classes celebrated the end of the Spring session with certificates, games, and community-building activities. In Greensboro, Allison Luersen and Kayla Weber’s students not only cooked delicious meals but also received their attendance certificates. Cambridge and Easton ESL students also marked the completion of their courses with certificates and celebrations.
Dr. Pat Daniel's final math class was a lively session filled with puzzles and games, highlighted by a geometric tower-building competition and a game of BINGO using math problems.
Beth Moyer’s ESL Online Class ended the year on a high note, with Beth praising her students: "My ESL class is a group of amazingly talented people. They are engaged, motivated and support each other every single day, in class and out. They have built a community that has left no students behind. The friendships and support system they have built will long out last the classroom. I see bright futures for all of them."
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Chesapeake College partners with local County Detention Centers to offer a GED® program for the detainees to receive a Maryland State High School Diploma. Experienced teachers provide lessons in the 4 major tested areas of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Class sessions are usually 2-3 hours long and meet twice a week. Enrollment in the class is by a process of registration and pre-testing. Resource materials and class supplies are provided by Chesapeake College. The success of this partnership is evidenced by the transfer of the students into training programs, college programs, jobs, and the completion of their high school diplomas. | |
MARYLAND
SKILLED IMMIGRANT TASK FORCE
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Are you a decision-maker? Are you interested in working with machines or using physical strength? Would you like to help others?
The Maryland Department of Labor has shared a career aptitude assessment guide, which can be a great way to get some quick inspiration, and to quickly identify your strengths and preferences.
Take the following quick photo career test. You can do this in class to identify and connect with your professional strengths.
https://www.truity.com/test/photo-career-quiz
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by Beth Moyer, ABE Intake and Assessment Specialist
Have you ever wondered what you can do to improve your test scores? Whether it is your CASAS scores, GED® Ready scores, or a skills assessment for a job, you can learn how to improve those scores! Preparing for these exams can be easier if you learn some test taking strategies. Following these strategies can enhance your test-taking abilities and lead to improved outcomes and greater confidence in test-taking.
Let’s take a look at a few strategies:
- Read questions thoroughly: Make sure you carefully read the question to understand what is being asked. Also look for keywords and phrases that define what is being asked. Pay close attention to words like "not," "except," or "most," which can significantly alter the meaning of the question.
- Eliminate Clearly Wrong Answers: Use the process of elimination to narrow down your choices. Get rid of the obvious incorrect answers. This helps you focus on the remaining options and increases your chances of selecting the correct answer. Even if you’re unsure, reducing the number of choices improves your odds of selecting the correct answer.
- Look for Context Clues: Be careful of absolute terms like "always" or "never," which are often incorrect. If you are being asked to define a word, look for clues in the form of a definition, a synonym or an antonym.
For additional strategies, look at websites such as
https://www.wordupapp.co/ and https://freerice.com/
Lastly, seek regular feedback from instructors, practice often, and stay healthy.
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"The road to success is always under construction."
Anthony Robbins
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Barbara Askins
Dr. Pat Daniels' Math Class
"Barbara is a wonderful student. Although she is very busy in her community, she manages to maintain an excellent attendance record and continues to arrive early for every class. She is conscientious about her assignments and is not shy about asking questions when she “does not get it.” And when she does “get it”, she encourages her fellow classmates by assisting them. Barbara has a smile for everyone and is a total joy to have in class."
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Aracely Hernandez
Cherry Moaney’s ESL Class
"Aracely is very serious about her studies. She shows up for class, works hard, does her homework, and gained a level on her post-test. I'm so proud of her."
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Rosa Estevez de Adrian
Cherry Moaney’s ESL Class
"Rosa was my other star student. She is experiencing personal challenges. However, she never gives up on her education. She always has questions ready during the lesson to help others and herself better understand the lesson. Rosa is a shining example of a star student."
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Maria Elena Garcia Ortiz
Elli Straus' ESL Classes
"Elena's attendance is very consistent, and she is always on time and ready with a smile. Her participation is stellar, always asking critical thinking questions, and helping her classmates as needed. Furthermore, she often serves as my "language assistant", helping me find the correct word or phrase in Spanish. I am very impressed with Elena's progress in English this semester and applaud her dedication."
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Mary Tita Roblero Lopez
Elli Straus' ESL Classes
"Mary's attendance has been exemplary and on time throughout the semester. She participates in class while caring for her baby at home. Once, fighting a bad cold, she still signed on for class on time and stayed for the entire class. Although Mary is shy, she is always ready to answer challenging questions that are posed to her during the lesson. I admire Mary's dedication and look forward to following her journey with the English language."
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Nara Alice Hem
Elli Straus' ESL Classes
"Nara's attendance is exemplary. She participates in our virtual class, although experiencing many obstacles. Nara is extremely motivated to keep improving her English. She reads outside of class, and engages in all sorts of activities that enable her to put what learns to practice. She is an absolute pleasure to have in class, and often amuses her classmates by picking up some words in Spanish, although Spanish is not her native language. She, of course, uses the Spanish words in perfect context."
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Anniel Nerva
Elli Straus' ESL Classes
"In a class full of wonderfully motivated students, Anniel has made a marked impression on me by always signing in on time and fully participating in class. I have noticed a marked improvement in his English even in the short time he has been in this class, and look forward to following his journey in the English language. Anniel is always ready to help with reading or answering questions with a shy "I'll try", and try he does, in every single class! A wonderful addition to the class and a true pleasure to teach."
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Maria Molina
Ceres Bainbridge's ESL Class
"Maria Molina is studying English to better communicate with her coworkers and managers and to advance her career in food services. One of her goals is to communicate effectively with her son’s teachers as he enters high school. Improving her English helps Maria to successfully support her family’s small business. She knows that learning English will open many new doors and opportunities for her. I am proud to name Maria as my Star Student."
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Yeni Sanchez
Malica Dunnock’s ESL class
"Yeni Sanchez works hard at caring for her children and family. She attends every Zoom class session. Her commitment is demonstrated by her increased score of 6 points on her post-test."
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Magdi Mendez
Malica Dunnock’s ESL class
"Magdi's confidence is soaring, and she is not as shy about participating and answering questions in class. She works hard to show her daughters the importance of getting a good education. Magdi’s post-test scores increased by 8 points. Well done, Magdi!"
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COVID UPDATES
Periodically community transmission of COVID-19 surges in the state of Maryland. The latest data, as of February 2024, indicates that the updated COVID-19 vaccines are very effective against the virus and its variants. If you contract the virus, anti-viral treatments, and the vaccine can help protect you against severe illness.
The following are the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidelines for Respiratory Virus Infections.
- Protect yourself – get vaccinated!
- Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer often when you cannot wash your hands with soap,
- Cover your cough,
- Clean frequently touched surfaces more often with disinfectant wipes or solution.
If you get sick:
- Stay home.
- Stay away from others for 5 days.
- If you have a fever, do not attend school or go to work until you are fever free (and symptom free) for 24 hours
For more information click on the following link: www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/updated-respiratory-virus-guidance.html
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Finding job opportunities on the Eastern Shore of Maryland can be achieved through a combination of online resources, local networking, and traditional job search methods. Here are some data-driven strategies to help you in your job search:
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Online Job Portals: Utilize popular job search websites that cater to the Eastern Shore region, such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Monster. These platforms allow you to filter job listings based on location and job type.
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State and Local Job Boards: Check the Maryland Department of Labor website and other local employment agencies for job listings specific to the Eastern Shore area. Websites like Maryland Workforce Exchange (mwejobs.maryland.gov) offer job listings and resources tailored to the state.
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Networking: Attend job fairs, industry events, and networking functions in the Eastern Shore region. Building connections with professionals and employers can lead to hidden job opportunities and referrals
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Local Chambers of Commerce: Contact local chambers of commerce in the Eastern Shore area. They often have job boards or can provide information about businesses that are hiring.
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Social Media: Follow companies and organizations on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Some employers post job openings directly on their social media pages.
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Job Search Apps: Download job search apps like JobSearch, Jobr, and Snagajob to receive job alerts and find job opportunities directly on your mobile device.
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Quic-Kross
This is a crossword puzzle with a twist. Use the clues to solve the puzzle. The first letter starts each word. When complete, the colored letters will spell out a “mystery word.”
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Across:
- Mail
- Cut
- Steak
- Harbor
Down:
- Horses and cows live here
- Estate, property
- Sodium chloride
- Round object
Mystery word hint: Slipping on a banana peel
Solution to last issue’s Brain Game:
2 x 2 x 2 = 8 8 – 6= 2
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Share this email with your family, friends, and coworkers so they can register for our classes too! | |
Next Issue: Ready, Set, Go! | |
For more information about our programs, please contact:
Brenda Horrocks
Director Adult Education
Wye Mills Campus, EDC 10
410-827-5929 | bhorrocks@chesapeake.edu | www.chesapeake.edu
1000 College Circle | P.O. Box 8, Wye Mills, MD 21679
Chesapeake College empowers students from diverse communities to excel in further education, employment, and participation in an interconnected world.
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